title: An update on the strategies used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in children shows a variety of clinical presentations, which influence its natural course and treatment options. This report provides an overview of the ongoing strategies in pediatric CHB management. Interferon-α represents the first choice of treatment in children showing HBV replication and hepatic inflammation (immune active CHB), while the recommendation is to monitor inactive/immune-tolerant children (normal transaminases and low/absent viral replication). When circumstances preclude the use of Interferon-α and in cases of compensated/decompensated cirrhosis, entecavir for children above 2 years of age or tenofovir for children above 12 years of age are the nucleos(t)ide analogues recommended by the most recent guidelines.
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences , University of Sassari , Sassari , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Clemente
authors.affiliation: b Pediatrics Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery , University of Salerno , Baronissi (Salerno) , Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vajro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: HBV infection; antiviral therapy; children; entecavir; interferon