Asymptomatic viral hepatitis types A and B in an adolescent population.

Sera from 95 adolescents were examined for markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. HBV markers were found in eight adolescents (8%) and evidence of previous HAV infection was found in 18 adolescents (19%); none had a history of clinically recognizable hepatitis. These findings support the growing evidence that HBV and HAV infections are diseases of the pediatric age group, and that testing of HBV vaccines when they become available for patient use will have to include a pediatric population.