Assessment of the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B, viral hepatitis C and HIV in multitransfused thalassaemia major patients in Karachi, Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study reveals the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in multi-transfused thalassemia major patients. Thirty-four out of 79 (43.0%) patients enrolled in the study serologically tested positive for hepatitis C (mean ± standard deviation age = 12 ± 4.1 years), four (5.1%) for hepatitis B and none for HIV. Some of the measures that should be adapted are: safe blood transfusions; awareness programmes through print and electronic media; and the early screening of such hazardous infections.