[Follow-up study of delta agent infection in children with chronic hepatitis B].

We studied the frequency of HDV infection in children, in order to determine its incidence and to evaluate the possible association between the anti-HD and the replication level of HBV of the hepatic histology. A total of 68 children with chronic hepatitis B. 29 relatives of children with anti-HD. 25 children without HBV markers nor hepatic pathology and 10 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were studied. Anti-HD appeared in 13% of children with chronic HBV infection, at low titers. AgHD was negative in serum and liver in all of these patients. Anti-HD was also positive in 25% of the relatives of children with anti-HD was also positive in 25% of the relatives of children with anti-HD, whereas in 100% of the families there was at least one member with HBV markers. Delta infection did not appear in any of the other children studied. We have not found association between the anti-HD and sex symptoms or hepatic histology. Also, there was not relation between HDB infection and the HBV replication level.