Hapatitis B infection among Iraqi children: The impact of sanctions

Abstract

Effect of sanctions on hepatitis B vaccine availability and occurrence of viral hepatitis B among Iraqi children was studied. Between June 2000 and June 2001, families of patients attending the Public Health Laboratory, Mosul, for hepatitis B follow-up were screened. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe. We diagnosed 74 children born 1994-1998 as HBsAg carriers. For 62 of 74 cases, parents had consulted vaccine centres promptly: 41 were not vaccinated and 21 had only one vaccine dose. HBeAg marker was positive for 9 (14.5%) and anti-HBe for 50 (80.7%). Parental reluctance was the reason for non-vaccination for 12. Vaccine shortages during the birth years of cases were documented, even after implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 986.