title: Treatment of children persistently infected with hepatitis B virus: seroconversion or suppression.
abstract: We have reviewed the current strategies regarding the treatment of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) in children and compared these with adult strategies. The options for achieving suppression of viral DNA replication versus hepatitis B e antigen to antibody seroconversion have been evaluated. The results of studies in different geographical locations have been confounded by HBV genotypes, as it is now clear that some genotypes respond better to treatment than others. Consideration needs to be given as to whether optimal treatment strategies developed for adults are directly applicable to children. In children, early seroconversion to allow improved long-term outcomes should be considered rather than embarking on the long-term complexities of managing patients on a combination of antiviral drugs to achieve viral suppression.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Agency, West Midlands Public Health Laboratory, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5SS, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Boxall
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D019259:Lamivudine