SERO-PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS AND 17 YEARS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AT THE LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL.

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SERO-PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS AND 17 YEARS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AT THE LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a public health problem worldwide and about 2% of the
world population is infected with the virus. Infection due to HCV causes significant morbidity
and mortality among vulnerable groups such as children with cancer due to their frequent
exposures to blood transfusions and other risk factors. Blood and blood product transfusion and
other invasive procedures still remain the major risk factor in the acquisition of HCV infection.
This study therefore aims to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors for Hepatitis C virus
acquisition among children with cancer seen at the Paediatric Oncology unit of Lagos University
Teaching Hospital.
The study involved consecutive children with histologically confirmed cancer receiving care at
the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. In addition, age and sex-matched controls were
recruited from the outpatient clinics of the hospital. Following provision of informed consent,
pretested questionnaire was administered to each eligible participant to document history of
blood and blood product transfusion, surgery, scarification marks, parenteral injections and
whether or not they practice sharing of razor blades and toothbrushes at home.
The presence of HCV in the plasma samples was determined using a 4th generation ELISA test
by DIA.PROR Diagnostic Bioprobes Srl Italy. The study lasted nine months.
Forty eight percent (48%) of the study population were less than 5 years old, and 64% were
males. Children with leukaemia accounted for 44% of the children with cancer. Ninety per cent
of the children with cancers had received a prior blood transfusion while 100% and 9% had
been exposed to parenteral injections and scarification marks respectively.
The sero-prevalence of HCV infection in cancer patients in the current study was 0%, and 2% in
the control group. This is despite the fact that children with cancer were significantly more

exposed to the risk factors for the acquisition of HCV infection when compared to the controls.
Blood transfusion was the only risk factor identified in the only index case in controls that tested
positive for HCV antibody.
The subjects were significantly more exposed to the risk factors (blood and blood product
transfusion, surgery, scarification marks) for HCV infection than the controls (p <0.008)
This study therefore highlights the importance of blood transfusion in the acquisition of Hepatitis
C virus infection, though, a thorough screening of blood before transfusion prevents HCV
infection of cancer patients.
Further strengthening of the mandatory and routine screening for HCV among blood donors is
recommended

SERO-PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS AND 17 YEARS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AT THE LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL.

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