Background: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those who require hemodialysis (HD), are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The HBV vaccine non-/hypo-response rate among HD children remains high, and it is critical to investigate the influencing factors and their linkages. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of HB vaccination response in HD children and to analyze the interference of various clinical and biomedical factors with the immunological response to HB vaccination. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 74 children on maintenance hemodialysis, aged between 3 and 18 years. These children were subjected to complete clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Results: Out of a total of 74 children with HD, 25 (33.8%) were positive for the HCV antibody. Regarding the immunological response to hepatitis B vaccine, 70% were non-/hypo-responders (≤100 IU/mL) and only 30% mounted a high-level response (more than 100 IU/mL). There was a significant relation between non-/hypo-response and sex, dialysis duration, and HCV infection. Being on dialysis for more than 5 years and being HCV Ab-positive were independent variables for non-/hypo-response to HB vaccine. Conclusions: Children with CKD on regular HD have poor seroconversion rates in response to the HBV vaccine, which were influenced by dialysis duration and HCV infection.
Keywords: children; hemodialysis; hepatitis B virus; seroconversion; vaccine.