Hepatitis B carriage in children.

Prevalance of hepatitis B surface antigen carriage amongst children in the Bay of Plenty was high, with rates in Maoris five times that found in Europeans. (12.0% versus 2.6%). Carrier rates were highest in children aged 6-10 years. This age group also had the peak incidence of acute hepatitis B. Infectivity was greatest amongst younger children and diminished with age. Transmission between children within family units may be a major route of spread of hepatitis B.