Decline in HAV-associated fulminant hepatic failure and liver transplant in children in Argentina after the introduction of a universal hepatitis A vaccination program.

Introduction Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a vaccine-preventable disease. The most severe complication in children is fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), estimated to occur in 0.4% of cases; patients with FHF often require a liver transplant (LT). Following another outbreak of HAV infection in Argentina during 2003–2004, a one-dose HAV universal immunization (UI) program was started in 2005, resulting in a reduction in the incidence of HAV infection. We have investigated the impact of HAV UI on the trends in the occurrence of FHF and LT in children.