[Viral hepatitis C--a problem in the treatment of children with renal insufficiency on hemodialysis].

The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of positive anti HCV in the haemodialysis unit (staff and patients) of the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade. Twenty four patients, 14 girls and 10 boys, on chronic haemodialysis from 1 to 164 months, and ten staff members who worked for an average of 9.3 years in the haemodialysis unit, were examined. Patients were screened for HCV antibody in November 1990 (15 pts), July 1992 (14 pts) and September 1992 (13 pts) using the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) 1st generation test for the first check up, and 2nd generation tests for the following ones. Five patients were tested 3 times and 8 twice. Staff members were tested in September 1992 by the HCV 2nd generation test. Complete screening for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was done by ELISA at the same time as the tests for HCV antibody. All patients and staff members were Hbs Ag negative. Eleven patients and 9 staff members had one or more HBV antibodies due to HBV infection or HBV vaccine. None of staff members had HCV antibody while overall prevalence in patients was high, reaching 50%. It raised with duration of dialysis, and was more frequent in polytransfused and/or patients with positive HBV infection anamnesis.