Chronic viral hepatitis in children.
Hepatitis B virus is the most common causative agent of chronic viral hepatitis in children. The disease may take an aggressive course, but remains mostly asymptomatic. HDV infection occurs in about 13% of those children who are chronic carriers and are HBsAg positive. HCV infection is generally related to parenteral risk and generally remains asymptomatic. In addition to describing the course of the various diseases, treatment and control measures are discussed.
Maggiore
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Clinica Pediatrica dell'Università, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
De Giacoma
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D002675:Child, Preschool; D006509:Hepatitis B; D006526:Hepatitis C; D003699:Hepatitis D; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans