Longitudinal long-term follow-up study of children with vertically acquired hepatitis C virus infection.
Seventeen children with vertically acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were followed from birth for a mean of 104 months. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were increased significantly at 3 and 6 months of age but were stable thereafter. HCV polymerase chain reaction was positive at 3 months in 16 patients and at 12 months in one patient. Viral load remained stable during follow-up at a mean value of 5.4 +/- 0.4 log10. Mild chronic hepatitis was the most common histopathological feature on liver biopsy, occurring in six of the seven children biopsied at a mean age of 4.0 +/- 2.4 years. Genotype did not seem to be related to the type of liver involvement. The results of this study suggest that vertically acquired HCV infection has a benign course in children, despite the presence of viraemia and persistent alterations in ALT levels.
Zuccotti
G V
GV
Department of Paediatrics, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Italy. gianvincenzo.zuccotti@unimi.it
Salvini
F
F
Farina
F
F
Agostoni
C
C
Riva
E
E
Giovannini
M
M
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase