The incidence and evolution of thyroid dysfunction during interferon-alpha therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B infection.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy on thyroid functions in children with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB).


METHODS
Sixty-eight children (7.8 +/- 3.6 years) were treated with 5 (n = 37, group I) or 10 MU/m2 (n = 31, group II) IFN for 6 months. Thyroid hormones, thyrotropin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin autoantibodies were evaluated.


RESULTS
Baseline features were not different in the two groups. After therapy, thyroid dysfunction was 27% and 41.9% in groups I and II (n.s.). Subclinical hypothyroidism was 17.9%/ 29%, subclinical hyperthyroidism 5.4%/12.9%, hypothyroidism 2.7%/-, and thyroid antibody positivity 2.7%/- in groups I and II (n.s.). Thyroid dysfunction was 33.8% in the whole group (p = 0.001). Predictors of IFN induced-thyroid dysfunction were female sex and age < 6 years. Thyroid dysfunction resolved within median 6 months in all but three children.


CONCLUSIONS
Although IFN-induced thyroid dysfunction is mostly subclinical and reversible, this side effect should be kept in mind.
Kuloglu
Zarife
Z
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. zarifekuloglu@yahoo.com
Kansu
Aydan
A
Berberoglu
Merih
M
Adiyaman
Pelin
P
Ocal
Gönül
G
Girgin
Nurten
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase