High Vaccination Coverage against Hepatitis B Infection and Profile of Biomarkers of Infection in Children less than 60 months of age.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Mother-to-child transmission is a common route of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection to infants, but maternal antiviral prophylaxis, and hepatitis B vaccination and immunoglobulin (HBIG) given to children born to HBsAg-positive mothers within the first 24 hours of life, may prevent vertical transmission. We sought to determine the frequency of Hepatitis B infection biomarkers and determinants of transmission in children aged less than 60 months. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to April 2020 with 300 children \u003c 60 months of age. A questionnaire was used to collect information and detection of the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBeAg and anti-HBe, was performed by rapid diagnostic test and ELISA. Results. two of the 300 children were positive for the HBsAg (0.7%) and the prevalence of anti-HBs, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and HBeAg were 77.7%, 0.7%, 7.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Two hundred and ninety one (97.12%) children had received at least three doses of hepatitis B vaccine compared to 11.7% of the mothers.  On the other hand, 220 (73.25%) children who were vaccinated showed a profile suggestive of immunity against hepatitis B infection.  Ten of the 12 children born of HBsAg-positive mothers (naive to antiviral), received the hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG nd were uninfected, whilst the other two were infected. Conclusion. High hepatitis B vaccine coverage (97.12%) and low prevalence of the HBsAg (0.7%) were observed. Sensitization of pregnant women on vertical transmission and prevention of hepatitis B, and routine testing are key interventions in preventing vertical transmission of HBV. RESUME Introduction. La transmission de la mere a l\u0027enfant est une voie courante d\u0027infection par le Virus de l’Hepatite B (VHB) chez les nourrissons. La prophylaxie antivirale maternelle, ainsi que la vaccination contre l\u0027hepatite B et l\u0027immunoglobuline (HBIG) administres aux enfants nes de meres seropositives pour l\u0027AgHBs dans les 24 premieres heures de vie, pourraient prevenir cette transmission. Ainsi, nous avons decide de determiner la frequence des biomarqueurs de l\u0027infection par le VHB et les determinants de la transmission chez les enfants âges de moins de 60 mois. Methodes. Une etude transversale a ete menee de janvier 2019 a avril 2020 aupres de 300 enfants de moins de 60 mois. Un questionnaire a ete utilise pour recueillir des informations et la detection de  l\u0027AgHBs, l\u0027anti-HBs, l\u0027anti-HBc, l\u0027AgHBe et l\u0027anti-HBe, par un test rapide et ELISA. Resultats. Deux (0,7%) des 300 enfants etaient positifs pour l\u0027AgHBs et la prevalence des anti-HBs, anti-HBe, anti-HBc et AgHBe etait de 77,7%, 0,7%, 7,5% et 0,9%, respectivement. Deux cent quatre-vingt-onze (97,12 %) enfants avaient recu au moins trois doses de vaccin contre l\u0027hepatite B, contre 11,7 % des meres.  En revanche, 220 (73,25 %) enfants vaccines presentaient un profil suggerant une immunite contre l\u0027infection par le VHB.  Dix des 12 enfants nes de meres seropositives pour l\u0027AgHBs (naives aux antiviraux) ont recu le vaccin contre l\u0027hepatite B et l\u0027HBIG n\u0027etaient pas infectes, tandis que les deux autres l\u0027etaient. Conclusion. Une couverture vaccinale elevee contre l\u0027hepatite B (97,12%) et une faible prevalence de l\u0027AgHBs (0,7%) ont ete observees. La sensibilisation des femmes enceintes sur la prevention de l\u0027hepatite B, ainsi que leurs depistages, pourraient etre essentielles pour prevenir la transmission verticale..