Common transfusion-transmitted infectious agents among thalassaemic children in Bangladesh.

Transfusion-dependent children are more prone to acquiring various transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, and others. Since the magnitude of these infections among thalassaemic children in Bangladesh is not well-known, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of TTIs among them (who received more than three blood transfusions) compared to their age- and sex-matched controls (non-thalassaemics and those who had never had a transfusion). Seromarkers for HBV, HCV, HDV, Treponema pallidum, and HIV were tested, and the results were analyzed using SPSS/Windows 10.5. Of 259 children studied, 152 (58.69%) were thalassaemic (mean age 6.8 +/- 3.6 years), and 107 were controls (mean age 6.7 +/- 3.53 years). The HBV and HCV-markers were found…