Antibody to Hepatitis A and B in Children in New York City

Abstract

Serum samples from a black population in Bedford Stuyvesant and a white population in Staten Island in New York City, USA were collected and tested for antibodies to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The frequency of positive results was unassociated with the sex of the subjects, but was strongly associated with age and ethnic or socioeconomic group. With a single exception, no antibody was detected in patients below the age of 5, although between 6 and 10 yr anti-HAV appeared in both populations, and between 11 and 20 yr anti-HBs appeared. Anti-HAV initially increased at similar rates in both populations, then after 20 yr continued to rise in the Bedford Stuyvesant population and not in the Staten Island population. The anti-HBs rates were relatively similar in both populations.