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January 1988, Vol 142, No. 1 >
Article | January 1988

Ethical Issues in Hepatitis B Screening FREE

THOMAS L. CAMPBELL, MD
Am J Dis Child. 1988;142(1):13. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1988.02150010019007.
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Sir.—Jenista and Chapman's1 recommendation to screen all Asian-born adopted children for hepatitis B fails to address important ethical issues. The identification of hepatitis B carrier state carries significant risk and no direct benefit to the adopted child. At present, there is no treatment for hepatitis B carrier state, nor is it possible to prevent or treat complications of hepatitis B.2 On the other hand, the hepatitis screening may cause significant psychosocial harm by stigmatizing individuals and ethnic groups.3 Foreign-born adopted children must deal with numerous psychological issues, but their identification as hepatitis carriers may be the most serious. Already, these children have been refused admission to day-care centers. Both of the children in Jenista and Chapman's study who were in nursery school were excluded after the results of the tests were known. The hysterical response to children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and their unjustified exclusion from

REFERENCES

1 +
Jenista JA, Chapman D:  Medical problems of foreign-born adopted children . AJDC 1987;;141: 298-302.
2 +
Gerety FJ (ed): Hepatitis B . Orlando, Fla, Academic Press Inc, 1985;.
3 +
Blumbert BS, Fox RC:  The Daedalus effect: Changes in ethical questions relating to hepatitis B virus . Ann Intern Med 1985;;102:390-394.
4 +
Breuer B, Friedman SM, Millner FS, et al:  Transmission of hepatitis B virus to classroom contacts of mentally retarded carriers . JAMA 1985;;254:3190-3195.

Figures

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Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

References

1 +
Jenista JA, Chapman D:  Medical problems of foreign-born adopted children . AJDC 1987;;141: 298-302.
2 +
Gerety FJ (ed): Hepatitis B . Orlando, Fla, Academic Press Inc, 1985;.
3 +
Blumbert BS, Fox RC:  The Daedalus effect: Changes in ethical questions relating to hepatitis B virus . Ann Intern Med 1985;;102:390-394.
4 +
Breuer B, Friedman SM, Millner FS, et al:  Transmission of hepatitis B virus to classroom contacts of mentally retarded carriers . JAMA 1985;;254:3190-3195.

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