A longitudinal study of the efficacy of interferon therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B.
BACKGROUND
Interferon alpha (IFN) is the most effective drug in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. This article presents the results of IFN therapy and 28-month follow-up.


METHODS
193 Caucasian children (130 boys and 63 girls) aged 1.5-17 years were treated with IFN for 20 weeks (3.0 MIU 3 times a week). They were examined at baseline (period 0), after 6 weeks (period 1), 12 weeks (period 2), 20 weeks (period 3), 6 months (period 4), 12 months (period 5), 18 months (period 6), and 24 months (period 7).


RESULTS
HBcAg elimination drom period 3 was: 29.6%, 35.2%, 45.4%, 58.3%, in period 7 63.9% (significantly higher in girls). Significant positive correlations were found in several periods between IFN/m2 and HBeAg, HBsAg elimination, HBeAb, HBsAb presence and negatie correlations between IFN/m2 and ALT activity. ALT activity significantly decreased in girls between periods 0-3, in boys between 0-3 and 4-6. Significant positive correlations between ALT-0 and HBeAg, HBsAg elimination, HBeAb, HBsAb presence was seen in several periods, more frequently in girls. IFN transiently decreased Hb, leukocytes, and thrombocytes, especially in boys. No relationship was found between IFN therapy and bilirubin, protein, albumin and gammaglobulin concentrations. The prothrombin index increased after 6 months of IFN therapy in girls.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of IFN therapy is clearer with longer observation, especially in girls. A relationship was found between IFN dose and HBeAg/HbeAb and HBsAg/HBsAb seroconversion. IFN had a transient negative effect on the peripheral blood picture.
Kacprzak-Bergman
Irma
I
Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland. irmberg@zak.am.wroc.pl
Zaleska
Izabela
I
Gruszka
Jarosław
J
Jasonek
Jolanta
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000410:Alanine Transaminase