Abstract:

Objective: The aims of this study are to determine the rate of hepatitis A seropositivity in pediatric patient not studied before in Kars, assess the relation of hepatitis A seropositivity with seasons, compare the seropositivity rate with the other parts of our country and contribute to epidemiological studies.Methods: The study was performed between 01.01.2012 – 31.06.2014 on children aged between 0-18 years old, tested for anti-HAV IgG with different complaints and tested for HAV IgM due to suspected hepatitis A, who had admitted to Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine and Kars State Hospital by ELISA method. 1065 patients tested HAV IgG and 1481 patients tested HAV IgM were studied retrospectively. The results were analyzed by using chi-square trend analysis according to the age groups, gender, and seasons.Results: The anti-HAV Ig G and anti-HAV IgM seropositivity rates were found to be 66.3% (706/1065) and 42.7% (633/1481), respectively. Seasonal anti-HAV IgM positive rates were detected as 2.4% in December-February, 3% in March-May, 8.5% in June-August, and 21% in September-November.Conclusion: There is no previous study showing hepatitis A seropositivity in Kars and it’s around. In our region, HAV seropositivity has seasonal differences and is detected highly

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