title: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children with pegylated interferon α2a and ribavirin--a multi-center study.
abstract: Pegylated interferon α and ribavirin in treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children is used rarely. The aim of the study was to find prognostic factors for sustained virological response and to analyze the safety of pegylated interferon α2a and ribavirin in children with chronic hepatitis C. The study covered a group of 44 children, mean age 14 years, with diagnosed chronic hepatitis C. Clinical, biochemical and virological parameters, as well as side effects were evaluated. Combined treatment allowed to obtain sustained virological response in a total of 77.5% of the treated children. Lower viral load and lower fibrosis grade contributed to sustained virological response. The response was not gender-related. The best response is obtained in children whose treatment was started after they attained the age of 10 years. Therapy with pegylated interferon α2a and ribavirin is well tolerated by pediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectuous Diseases and Child Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Słuzewski
authors.forename: Arleta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kowala-Piaskowska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wysocki
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figlerowicz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gorczyca
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Halota
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jóźwiak
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mizerski
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mozer-Lisewska
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pawłowska
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rokitka
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strawińska
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szamotulska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a