Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus markers in children with thalassaemia and other diseases requiring multiple blood transfusions.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV markers mainly in children with thalassaemia and also others receiving regular blood transfusions. In Sri Lanka thalassaemic children and other multi-transfused children are a high risk group for HBV infection. Thus, these children should receive vaccination to protect against the infection. In addition, the risk of transmission of HBV infection through transfusions should be minimized by the use of voluntary donations, stringent donor selection measures and the of sensitive screening assays