Six-month Follow-up of Hepatitis A Antibodies in Newborn Infants in Diyarbakir Province and Its Region

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency and persistence of maternally transmitted anti-HAV antibodies in healthy newborn infants of people living in Diyarbakır province, which is located in a high HAV endemicity area, and its neighbourhood. Material and Method: In our study, infants born between October 1999 and January 2000 in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Diyarbakır Dicle University and registered in the Department of Paediatrics were followed up for 12 months. Blood samples were collected from all babies at birth, third and sixth months. Results: A total of 112 healthy newborns were included in the study. Of the infants, 62 (55.3%) were boys and 50 (44.7%) were girls. Demographic and medical information was obtained from the parents. Seropositivity was 90.2% at birth, 87.5% at 1 month, 39.3% at 6 months and 28.6% at one year. Conclusion: It was emphasised that our region has a high endemicity for HAV and in order to reduce HAV infection, socioeconomic level should be increased, hygiene should be given importance and immunisation with vaccine should be performed when appropriate conditions are met.