Epidemiological survey of Japanese children infected with hepatitis B and C viruses

Abstract

Maternal transmission is a prominent source of HCV infection among Japanese children. The implementation of measures to prevent HBV horizontal infection is also essential, and the present system of selective vaccination should be expanded to universal vaccination.

Transmission route and genotype of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in children in Japan between 1976 and 2010: A retrospective, multicenter study

“…Now that nearly 30 years have passed since the at‐risk strategy was launched, it is necessary to reevaluate the HB vaccine strategy in Japan. It is highly controversial whether universal HB vaccination should be introduced in Japan, as is the case with the Northern European countries . Epidemiological data are indispensable to assess the vaccine strategy.…”

Risk factors for mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis C virus: Maternal high viral load and fetal exposure in the birth canal

“…T RANSFUSION-ASSOCIATED SPREAD of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has essentially been eliminated in Japan after beginning the use of blood donor screening. 1,2 Currently, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HCV is the leading cause of infection in children, 3 with an infection rate of 3-10%. [4][5][6][7][8] However, its incidence, risk factors and natural history remain unclear.…”