[Prevalence and significance of the HBe antigen and anti-HBe antibodies in HBsAg-positive children].

The study covered 138 HBsAg-positive children having experienced viral hepatitis type B (VHB); 105 of the subjects could be followed up from the clinical, paraclinical and immunological points of view over an interval of about 30 months, the results being considered in terms of the presence or absence of HBeAg and/or anti-HBe. The percentage of chronicity was higher in HBeAg-positive children (16.2% versus 6.3% in HBe Ag negative subjects); like wise, contamination by familial contact was more frequent in the HBeAg-positive cases (28.6% versus 16% in HBeAg-negative children). The values of cytolysis tests (single determinations or kinetic study) were higher in the HBsAg positive children.