A study of hepatitis B and C prevalence and liver function in multiply transfused thalassemic and their parents.

A series of clinics were conducted in Delhi, India, in January, 1990. Of 54 patients with beta thalassemia major (mean age 7.6 years), 11.1% (6 out of 54) tested positive for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti HCV antibodies) and 66.6% (36 out of 54) showed evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Only 7.4% (4 out of 54) were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. Of their parents, 2.2% (2 out of 90) tested positive for anti HCV antibodies, 28.9% (26 out of 90) showed evidence of previous HBV infection and 11.1% (10 out of 90) were HBsAg positive. We argue that HCV constitutes a greater long term threat than HBV in these patients due to the higher incidence of chronic liver disease. We would advocate the introduction of HCV screening of donated blood as well as reinforcing the importance of HBV screening and immunization.