Aspectos pediátrico-sociales de las hepatitis virales agudas y crónicas en la infancia.

This study analyzes the sanitary, sociofamiliar, cultural and economic aspects of children who have been diagnosed of acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Retrospective data was collected of 249 children. A questionnaire was given to the parents and the information collected was processed in a computer. The results showed that most children had been sent to the hospital without a diagnosis and in chronic hepatitis the diagnosis was delayed for more than a year. The social status did not influence the type of hepatitis. Children with chronic hepatitis active had a worse performance in school. The disease was transmitted to other family members in 30% of cases and hospital expenses were high.