Seropositivity to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Saudi children with chronic renal failure maintained on haemodialysis.

Twenty Saudi children (mean age: 7.7 years) with chronic renal failure who had received several blood transfusions were screened for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) and antibodies to the various markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was significantly higher in these patients (45%) than in controls (1%) (p less than 0.001). In contrast, the exposure rate to HBV was similar in both groups (15.0% in patients vs 16.8% in controls). These results underscored the high risk of acquiring HCV infection in patients on haemodialysis irrespective of age. Currently, practices such as screening blood for HBsAg and other preventive measures seem to be effective in controlling HBV but not HCV infection in patients on haemodialysis. Perhaps, as with HBV, a stringent policy regarding HCV should be implemented if HCV is to be controlled. None of our patients or controls was anti-HIV positive.