title: [Early virologic response in retherapy with pegylated interferon alpha-2B plus ribavirin in children with chronic hepatitis C].
abstract: The aim of the study was evaluation of EVR in children with chronic hepatitis C retreated with PegIFN and ribavirin. We enrolled 13 children (11 boys and 2 girls) with CHC, median age 13,9 years, previously treated with IFN monotherapy (n-4) or combined IFN+ RBV (n-9) during 12 months, mean interval for previous therapy 2,7 years, infected with HCV genotypes 1 (n-6) and type 4 (n-7), mean baseline ALT activity 65,3 U/l, HCV-RNA 488.315 IU/ml. HCV RNA was evaluated with PCR method (Amplicor Roche test), HCV genotypes with InnoLipa test. All children received pegylated IFN-alpha 2b 1,5 mcg/kg/week and ribavirin 15 mg/kg/day. EVR was defined as decrease of HCV RNA > 2 log10 to baseline or serum undetectable in 12 week of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EVR was observed in 6/12 (50%) of children. EVR was more common in children < 13 years old and with shorter interval for end of previous therapy, higher baseline ALT activity (p<0,05) and lower HCV viral load. In patients with EVR more common leucopenia <3.000/ml was observed. 1 patient discontinued therapy because of depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. Pegylated IFN alpha-2b with RBV seems to be effective in children with chronic hepatitis C previously non responded to therapy. 2. Factors associated with favorable treatment prognosis include high baseline ALT activity, lower viral load, shorter interval for end of previous treatment and younger age.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych i Hepatologii Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu. kikchzak@cm.umk.pl
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pawłowska
authors.forename: Elwira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palewicz
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Halota
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a