Interferon-alpha and ribavirin treatment of hepatitis C in children with malignancy in remission.
Twenty-eight cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were identified in children in a pediatric oncology ward during 2 nosocomial outbreaks. HCV infection spontaneously cleared in 6 patients (21%). Eleven patients with persistent HCV viremia who had malignant diseases in remission after treatment were given a 48-week course of combined therapy with interferon-alpha (5x106 U 3 times weekly) and oral ribavirin (15 mg/kg/d). Seven (64%) of the 11 patients had sustained virological responses 6 and 12 months after cessation of therapy. Side effects were common but generally were mild or moderate.
Christensson
B
B
Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Lund University Hospital, SE-22185 Lund, Sweden. bertil.christensson@infek.lu.se
Wiebe
T
T
Akesson
A
A
Widell
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin