19. Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia Patients
Iftikhar Ahmed, Shahid Iqbal and Aida Waheed
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of transfusion transmitted diseases such as viral hepatitis B and C in thalassemic patients.
Study Design: Descriptive / cross section study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Teaching Hospital, Rawalakot AJK (Teaching Hospital of Poonch Medical College, Rawalakot from November 2016 to May 2017.
Materials and Methods: 55 thalassemic patients were screened for transfusion transmitted hepatitis B and C virus using electro chimiluminescene using auto analyzer elecsys Cobas E 411 as well as PCR techniques where possible. The outcome i.e., hepatitis B and C infection was stratified by age, parity and duration of transfusion.
Results: The prevalence of transfusion transmitted hepatitis C was 30.91% in our study and it had a statistically significant association with the age and duration of blood transfusion in thalassemic patients.Hepatitis B was not positive in any patient.
Conclusion: High prevalence of transfusion transmitted hepatitis C in thalassemic patients despite adoption of donor blood screening protocols needs to be addressed urgently to determine the factors responsible for this complication of transfusion therapy.
Key Words: Thalassemia, Transfusion, Viral Hepatitis, Cirrhosis liver, Chelation, Hepatitis C
Citation of articles: Ahmed I, Iqbal S, Waheed A. Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia Patients. Med Forum 2018;29(9):76-79.