Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E in Children in Kashan, 2012

Hepatitis E is a viral disease that is transmitted through contaminated water and foods. This disease is variable e from a simple asymptomatic infection to a fulminant disease. Its mortality is about 1-4% but in pregnant women increases the amount of about 20%. his study was performed in children in Kashan to determine prevalence of hepatitis E serological positive and relationship by age and sex. This cross-sectional study using cluster sampling was conducted on 558 children 1 to 15 years in Kashan and Anti-HEV IgG was evaluated using the ELISA method. The prevalence of hepatitis E in the study population was 3.7%(21 people). The prevalence of positive cases was significantly correlated with age and number of family members, but was not related to child sex. The findings suggest that HEV infection is endemic in the region. Thus, the use of appropriate health programs, public health, public education will be effective in controlling the infection.