Immune Status Against Hepatitis B Infection in Children with Thalassemia Major in Pakistan: A Single-Centre Study

Objectives: To assess the immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Vaccine in children with thalassemia.
 Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study.
 Place and Duration Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan from Aug 2018 to Jan 2019.
 Methodology: After ethical approval informed consent, 150 diagnosed patients thalassemia were selected Thalassemia centre at Hospital Rawalpindi. The patients’ transfusion, vaccination history clinical data obtained. patient's sera tested for Anti-Hepatitis surface antibodies (anti-HBs) by ELISA. who showed seroprotection (anti-HBs titer>10 IU/L) taken as a case group.
 Results: Out patients, only 22% (33 patients) (anti-Hbs IU/L). Children younger than four years had significantly positive anti-HBs (p-value=0.067) 5% significance level. Time since last was also significant factor, 3.76±3.072 range exhibiting better protection (p=0.002).
 Conclusion: Protective Anti-HBs titer reduced after age 4 our so we recommend screening need booster dose.