Objective ： To conduct a prospective cohort study to clarify the relationship between human leukocyte antigen ( HLA) polymorphisms and the seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Study design In the prospective cohort study, 81 HBeAg-positive children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from 40 unrelated families were recruited and followed-up regularly for a mean period of 17. 70± 3.23 years. The association between HLA antigen and the age at HBeAg seroconversion was analyzed using Cox regression model with shared frailties under left truncation and right censorship. Results HLA-B61 and HLA-DQB1* 0503 antigens predicted a higher HBeAg seroconversion rate ( relative incidence= 6.17 and 3.22, p=.024 and .017, respectively). Within- family frailty in our sibling cohort study demonstrated a negligible or a low degree of within- family correlation with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in each HLA antigen. Conclusions HLA class I antigen B61 and class II antigen DQB1*0503 are associated with earlier HBeAg seroconversion in Taiwanese children with chronic HBV infection. ; 附設醫院小兒部 ; 醫學院附設醫院 ; 期刊論文