Fulminant hepatitis B in an infant born to a hepatitis Be antibody positive, DNA negative carrier

Article Abstract:

Antigens are proteins or other molecules that can provoke the immune system to make antibodies against them. People who have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are classed according to whether their blood contains one or more HBV antigens, such as hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen or hepatitis Be (HBe) antigen, or antibodies against these antigens, or DNA material from the virus (indicative of viral ability to reproduce). The risk of HBV transmission to other people from people who are infected with or carriers of HBV is thought to be low when anti-HBe antibodies are present. A case is described of a baby born to an otherwise healthy HBV carrier who was HBs-positive, HBe-antigen negative, had antibodies to HBe and hepatitis B core (HBc) protein, and was HBV-DNA-negative. The infant was not vaccinated nor did he receive other preventive treatment. At three months of age, the baby boy was hospitalized because of failure to thrive, vomiting, jaundice, and hepatomegaly (overgrowth of liver). He was HBs antigen-positive, HBe antigen-negative and had antibodies for HBc and HBe. Tests for other viral infections were negative. Ultrasound showed atrophy of much of the liver tissue and ascites (abdominal accumulation of fluid), but a normal bile tract. He was registered for an urgent liver transplant, but within 24 hours he deteriorated, suffered progressive brain dysfunction, and died from liver insufficiency. There was no change in his mother's blood markers for HBV. The report indicates that the presence of HBe antibodies did not protect against HBV transmission. Babies born to Hbe antibody-positive, HBV-DNA negative carrier mothers should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Infection, Physiological aspects, Pediatric diseases, Disease transmission, Hepatitis B, Infection in children, Hepatitis associated antigen, Hepatitis B e-antigen

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One-third of injuries to children are sports-related

Article Abstract:

Sports-related injuries account for 36% of all injuries to children aged 5 to 17. Boys are twice as injured as girls, and adolescents aged 10 to 17 are more likely to be injured than younger children. Also, many sports- and recreational-related injuries occur at school, thus injury prevention can be tied with educational programs.

Health aspects, Statistics, Children, Wounds and injuries, Child health, Sports injuries

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