Infection prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus in pediatric hematology-oncology patients

Abstract

Background and objectives: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted sexually and through blood. In most outbreaks in hospitals, HBV infections have been associated with unsafe injection practices, performing procedures, and lack of adherence to universal precautions for infection prevention. The objective is to determine the prevalence of infections with HBV in patients undergoing chemotherapy and-/-or blood transfusion.

Patients and Methods: This descriptive study details the prevalence, the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients in the Pediatric Hematology-oncology ward at the Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas Nacional Hospital (HNMCR) who were diagnosed with HBV infection, between years 1999-2011.

Results: The prevalence of HBV infection in hemato-oncological patients was 1.86 %. 64% of these patients had a complete vaccination. All patients were diagnosed first with hemato- oncological pathology and it was after a year or more that the diagnosis of HBV infection was performed.

Conclusions: Transfusions are an imminent risk factor in patients that need it especially in patients with Hematologiconcológic diagnosis.

Acta Pediátrica Hondureña, Vol. 4, No. 2 / Octubre 2013 a Marzo 2014: 307-311