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Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A (HAV) in children and adolescents aged 1 to 14 years, and to identify factors associated with a history of infection.Methods: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study, conducted form February to August 2006 in the city of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, and the surrounding municipalities (Greater Curitiba). Laboratory analysis comprised qualitative assay for total HAV antibodies in whole blood samples.Results: A total of 901 children and adolescents were recruited for the study. Age distribution was as follows: 1 to 4 years, n = 237 (26.3%); 5 to 9 years, n = 313 (34.7%); and 10 to 14 years, n = 351 (39%). The global rate of seroprevalence was 19.8%, and seroprevalence rates by age group were 3%, 21.1% and 29.9% respectively (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the following factors, in combination, had a positive association with the prevalence rate of antibodies against HAV in the study population: age groups 5 to 9 and 10 to 14 years, living in a household with more than one inhabitant per room, shared eating area and low per capita income. Conclusions:The results show a low prevalence of antibodies against HAV, which justifies the use of prophylactic measures, including early vaccination. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2011;87(5):419-24:Hepatitis A, seroepidemiological study, child, adolescent. ResumoObjetivos: Avaliar a soroprevalência de hepatite A (VHA) em crianças e adolescentes com idade entre 1 e 14 anos, e identificar fatores associados à infecção prévia.Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal, realizado entre fevereiro e agosto de 2006, em Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil, e em sua região metropolitana. A análise laboratorial constituiu-se de pesquisa qualitativa de anticorpos totais para o VHA em amostra de sangue total. Resultados: No estudo, 901 crianças e adolescentes foram incluídos.A distribuição por faixa etária foi: 237 (26,3%) entre 1 e 4 anos; 313 (34,7%) entre 5 e 9 anos; e 351 (39%) entre 10 e 14 anos. A taxa de soroprevalência geral encontrada foi de 19,8%, e por grupo etário foi de 3, 21,1 e 29,9% (p < 0,01), respectivamente. Na análise multivariada, demonstrou-se que os fatores que, em conjunto, mantiveram associação positiva com as prevalências de anticorpos contra o VHA na população estudada foram: faixa etária de 5 a 9 e 10 a 14 anos, morar em casas com um ou mais habitantes por cômodo, frequentar refeitório comunitário e ter baixa renda per capita. Conclusões:Os resultados demonstraram uma baixa prevalência de anticorpos contra o VHA, o que justifica o uso de medidas profiláticas, que incluem a vacinação precoce. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2011;87(5):419-24:Hepatite A, estudo soroepidemiológico, criança, adolescente. Seroprevalence of hepatitis A in children and adolescents IntroduçãoO vírus da hepatite A (VHA) é o maior responsável por quadros de hepatite aguda viral em crianças 1 e também é responsável por 75% de todos os casos de hepatite viral no mundo. Essa doença apresenta distribuição mundial, ocorrendo com maior fr...

Background:Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is a lymphoproliferative disease of unknown origin; its diagnosis is based on clinical characteristics and confirmed by histology.Objectives:To describe clinical and histological features of PL in 29 pediatric patients.Materials and Methods:Retrospective descriptive study of children (patients less than 15 years old) diagnosed with PL between 1986 and 2010 at a Reference Service in Pediatric Dermatology from South Brazil.Results:Twenty-nine PL cases were found by chart review in 24 years. Mean age of diagnosis was 8 years (22 to 178 months) and a mean time of diagnosis was 13.8 months (1 to 120 months). Twenty cases (69%) were male. Seasonal correlation was found with colder months in 62% of cases (p<0.01). Clinical diagnosis was pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC) in 25 cases, and pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) in four. Itching was the main reported symptom occurring in 13 (45%). Fourteen cases had been histologically evaluated. In six, microscopic findings were consistent with PLC, in four consistent with PLEVA, and four biopsies exhibited mixed characteristics of both forms. Concordance between clinical and histological diagnosis was seen in most cases.Conclusion:PL occurs in children and young adults, more commonly in males, and during cold months. PLC was the more frequent clinicohistologic form, and necrotic lesions characterized PLEVA. Associating clinical and histological findings is important for differentiating between PLC and PLEVA diagnosis.