Characteristics of patients at presentation
| First trial (n=33) | Second trial (n=74) | Controls (n=59) | |
| Sex (M/F) | 21/12 | 46/28 | 30/29 |
| Age (years) (mean (SD)) | 8.1 (2.9) | 9.1 (3.5) | 8.51 (2.5) |
| Source of infection | |||
| Transfusion | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| HBsAg+ mother1-150 | 5 (15%) | 16 (22%) | 13 (22%) |
| Household contact1-160 | 20 (61%) | 43 (58%) | 34 (58%) |
| Other or unknown | 8 (24%) | 15 (20%) | 12 (20%) |
| ALT (IU/l)1-151 (mean (SD)) | 2.6 (1.5) | 3.4 (3.6) | 2.2 (2.0) |
| Histological diagnosis1-152 | Minimal hepatitis, 1 (3%) | Minimal hepatitis, 18 (24%) | Minimal hepatitis, 5 (8%) |
| Chronic persistent or chronic active hepatitis (mild to moderate, 32 (97%)) | Chronic hepatitis of mild to moderate activity, 56 (76%) | Chronic hepatitis of mild to moderate activity (or chronic persistent+active hepatitis), 54 (92%) |