Infections by hepatotropic viruses belong to the most common complications of chemotherapy in children suffering from neoplastic diseases. The rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the effectiveness of passive immunization against HBV were studied in 285 children; 148/285 with lymphoproliferative diseases and 137/285 with solid tumours. HBV infection was observed in 10.2% children receiving hepatitis B immune globulin as compared to 36.8% without passive immunization against HBV. Anti-HCV antibodies were similar in both groups amounting 38.7% and 32.6% respectively.
Conclusion: The results show that hepatitis B immune globulin administration is effective and that HCV might become the main cause of hepatitis among immunosuppressed patients in the future.