PREVALENCE OF HEPATIS B AND C AMONG BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2023/13.01.405

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The beta-thalassemia are among the most prevalent hereditary diseases, and they

influence the lives of millions of children all over the world. Because appropriate viral screening

of donated blood has never been carried out, the infection risk in -thalassemia individuals serve

as a signal for the hazard of transfusion-transmitted illnesses, specifically hepatitis B and C as

well as other viral infections. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C

among beta-thalassemia major patients at a tertiary care Hospital.Material and methods: This

descriptive cross-sectional study was done at the pediatric department at SKBZ/AK, CMH

Hospital Muzaffarabad, during a period of six months from October 2019 to March 2020. All the

beta thalassemia major patients, aged up to 15 years, and both genders, were included. Following

informed consent, a 3-5 mL blood sample was collected from each case and immediately sent to

the hospital diagnostic laboratory to screen for HCV and HVB infections using the Elisa method.

All the informatiosn was collected via a study proforma, and SPSS version 26 was used for data

analysis.Results: A total of 87 patients with beta thalassemia major were studied; their mean age

was 10.0+3.68 years. Males were 55.8% and females were 44.8%. Out of all 35.6% patients were

infected by HCV, while only one patient found with HCV and HBV co-infection. As per the

stratification, HCV infection was significantly linked to age more than 10 years (p-0.001), while

statistically insignificant according to gender (p-0.344). Conclusion: As per the study

conclusion, HCV infection was observed to be highly prevalent among patients with betathalassemia major. It was positively related to the blood transfusions. Unfortunately, due to the

high incidence of these viruses in individuals with beta thalassemia, it would appear that the

precautions used in blood preparation and testing to prevent infections that are transferred by

blood transfusion are still insufficient.