Seroprevalence of Anti-Hepatitis A Antibody Among 1 - 15 Year Old Children in Kashan-Iran

Background: worldwide, hepatitis a is a common infection during childhood especially in developing countries. it can cause severe complications in adults and patients with underlying diseases. objectives: this study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis a in 1 - 15 year-old children of kashan. patients and methods: this cross-sectional study was performed on 666 one to fifteen year-old children from health-care centers in kashan city during 2012. total antibodies against hepatitis a were measured in sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa). results: totally, 3.9% of children were seropositive. mean number of family members was 3.92 ± 0.89. there was no difference in seroprevalence of hepatitis a relative to sex, family size, mean age and age groups. conclusions: in this city, a great proportion of children are susceptible to hepatitis a and it’s complications at an older age. this decrease in seropositivity may be caused by elevated hygien level. according to our results hepatitis a vaccination is recommended at early childhood such as that of other regions where low prevalence of hepatitis a infection is found.