• Burcin Nalbantoglu, Metin M Donma, Burcu Ozdilek, Erkut Karasu, and Aysin Nalbantoglu.
• Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
• Iran J Pediatr. 2013 Jun 1; 23 (3): 276-80.

ObjectiveThis study was designed to determine the current age-related hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalance, vaccination status of children and to evaluate the epidemiological shift in HAV serostatus living in Tekirdağ, which is located in Thrace region, the European part of Turkey.MethodsChildren 6 months-12 years of age with simple health problems were included. Blood samples were studied for HAV IgM and IgG collectively. A questionnaire addressing several characteristics of subjects was administered to obtain basic descriptive data on HAV epidemiology. Vaccination status of the children was recorded according to the immunization cards.FindingsThe overall anti-HAV IgM and anti-HAV IgG prevalance in children aged 6 months - 12 years was 3.3% and 25.4% respectively. Maximum hepatitis A IgM positivity was in the 7-12 years age group 4.8% (n= 12; P<0.001) and maximum hepatitis A IgG positivity in the same age group was 34% (n = 85; P<0.001). HAV vaccination rate among patients aged more than 2 years was 11.03%. HAV IgG seroprevalance was higher in children of low monthly income families (36.1%, n = 78; P<0.001) than in the intermediate (17%, n = 31) and high income families (11.1%, n = 6).ConclusionThese results indicate a shift in Hepatitis A seroprevalance when compared with the previous studies. As HAV infection in childhood is decreasing, the pool of susceptible adolescents and young adults is increasing. Introduction of hepatitis A vaccination into the national immunization schedule of Turkey should be considered.

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