[Efficacy of retherapy of chronic hepatitis C in children--own observation].
The aim of the study was an assessment of retherapy in children with chronic hepatitis C. Investigations were performed in 41 children divided on 2 groups (A and B). Children from group A were treated firstly with IFN monotherapy during 6 months and as retherapy they administered combined therapy with IFN alpha and ribavirin during 12 months. Patients from group B were firstly treated with combined IFN alpha and ribavirin therapy during 12 months and as retherapy with pegylated IFN and ribavirin. Sustained viral response achieved 44% of children (58% from group A and 33% from group B). ALT activity normalization was observed in 46% of treated children (53% from group A and 45% from group B). Prevalence of relapses in group A and B was 14% and 37% respectively. Among children who responded on treatment, baseline ALT activity was statistically significant higher in group A (p<0.05). The age of children from this group was statistically significant lower in comparison with children from group B (p<0.02). Mean leukocytes count after 3 months of treatment was statistically significant lower in children treated with pegylated IFN and ribavirin (p<0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Retherapy of chronic hepatitis in children was effective and well tolerated. The high frequency of relapses seems to be a point of extending of retherapy.
Wojewódzki Szpital Obserwacyjno-Zakaźny w Bydgoszczy.
Małgorzata
M
Pilarczyk
Małgorzata
M
Pawłowska
Ewa
E
Jendryczka
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019233:Retreatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a