Vaccination against hepatitis B in preschool children with Down's syndrome

Abstract

Twenty-nine healthy HBsAg-and HBsAb-negative children with Down's syndrome who were living at home (mean age 42 months; 19 M, 10 F) were vaccinated against hepatitis B virus either with recombinant DNA or plasma-derived vaccine. Both groups of children responded well to the vaccination schedules, with HBsAb seroconversion rates close to 100%. Vaccination against hepatitis B in preschool children with Down's syndrome is effective in spite of the existing abnormalities of the immune function.

Down Syndrome and Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Causal or Casual Relationship?

“…6 Predisposition to major hepatotropic viral infections and/or a diminished response to the hepatitis B vaccine also have been reported, but the evidence is questionable. [7][8][9][10] Hepatic steatosis is frequently described in association with Down syndrome, reportedly as an expected consequence of overweight and obesity, akin to other genetic conditions with mental retardation and a high body mass index (BMI), such as Prader-Willi syndrome. Valentini et al, reporting on 280 children and teenagers with Down syndrome, contribute to the discussion in this volume of The Journal.…”

Vacunaciones en el niño con síndrome de Down

“…Numerosos estudios, iniciados en los años 1990, han mostrado que la vacunación induce en estos niños tasas de seroconversión del 93 al 100% 17,18 . Resultados que se alinean con los comunicados en adultos [19][20][21][22][23] y avalan el criterio de que la población Down no debe actualmente considerarse como un grupo especial al formular las estrategias vacunales frente a la hepatitis B 20 .…”

Hepatitis B in the non‐residential mentally handicapped population

“…The World Health Organization (1992) has recommended that high-risk groups such as clients and staff of institutions for the mentally handicapped be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Vajro et al (1992) have demonstrated the effectiveness of vaccination against hepatitis B in preschool children with Down's syndrome. The potential for hepatitis B infection in non-residential settings suggests that clients and staff should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and those who intend using day-care facilities be vaccinated prior to entry into these programmes.…”