title: [Alpha-interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children].
abstract: The hepatitis C virus is the main causative agent for sporadic as well as parenteral cases of non-A non-B hepatitis. Alpha interferon is a biologically active protein produced by B lymphocytes and monocytes which can be manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon in adults is associated with a sustained response in 20-25% of treated cases. First studies provide encouraging results for the use of interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children, but controlled trials using this drug in a larger population of children are needed.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Pediatria dell'Università-Divisione di Pediatria dell'Ospedale Civile Maggiore di Verona, Italia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cinquetti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha
vernacular_title: L'interferone alfa nella terapia dell'epatite cronica C nel bambino.