Hepatitis A and B in the family unit. Nonparenteral transmission by asymptomatic children

Abstract

Investigation of a hepatitis A outbreak among members of an adoption organization implicated recently arrived Vietnamese orphans as the source of infection. A serologic study disclosed a 27% prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among Vietnamese orphans and a 23.1% (6 of 26) prevalence of hepatitis B antibody among American children of adopting families. Of the 6 antibody-positive American children, 5 were in families with HBsAg[hepatitis B surface antigen]-positive orphans. Healthy orphans from high hepatitis incidence areas may transmit hepatitis B and hepatitis A in the family unit.