The influence of interferon-alpha and combination interferon-alpha and lamivudine therapy on height and weight in children with chronic hepatitis B infection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the height and weight patterns of children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with and without treatment.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with immunoactive CHB randomly assigned to receive interferon-alpha2a (IFN) (5 mIU/m2, 6 months, group I) or IFN (same dose and duration) plus lamivudine (4 mg/kg/day, 24 months) (group II). Fifteen immunotolerant patients (group III) were followed without any treatment. Height (Ht-SDS), weight (Wt-SDS) and growth velocity (GV-SDS) standard deviation scores were monitored for a total of 36 months.


RESULTS
Ht-SDS was significantly lower in group II than in group I one year after completion of IFN treatment (p < 0.05). Wt-SDS was significantly higher in group I than the other groups two years after completion of IFN treatment (p < 0.05). In groups I and II, the percentage of children showing abnormal GV-SDS decreased once treatment was completed (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
CHB does not have deleterious effects on height and weight. Although IFN treatment temporarily compromises weight gain and growth velocity, lamivudine does not have any additional adverse effect.
Kuloğlu
Zarife
Z
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. zarifekuloglu@yahoo.com
Kansu
Aydan
A
Demirçeken
Fulya
F
Arici
Z Serap
ZS
Berberoğlu
Merih
M
Ocal
Gönül
G
Girgin
Nurten
N
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D019259:Lamivudine