[Sustained virological response in children with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of IFN-alpha and ribavirine combined therapy of chronic hepatitis C in children. The study comprised 37 children (22 boys and 15 girls) aged between 4 and 18 years (mean 12 years and 6 months) with chronic hepatitis C, diagnosed on the basis of serological, virological and histological criteria. The treatment included Intron A (Schering Plough) administered subcutaneously 3 M.U. 3 times a week and ribavirin (Rebetol-Schering Plough) orally 15 mg/kg body weight daily for the period of 12 months. In all children liver biopsy was performed before the beginning of treatment. Tests for the presence of HCV RNA in serum were performed after 12-weeks therapy (EVR), after 6-months therapy, immediately on its completion (ETR) and 6 months afterwards (SVR), after the end of treatment. In the course of applied treatment, ALT activity, hemoglobin levels, leukocyte and trombocyte counts in the peripheral blood were determined every 4 week. EVR was obtained in 25 children and in these chidren genetic material of HCV in serum of blood was not observed both, after 6-months therapy, as well after the end of treatment. In this group a sustained virological response (SVR) was observed in 21 children. In 12 children without EVR, the elimination of HCV RNA was not achieved in the course of further treatment.

Conclusions: 1. Twelve-months of combined IFN-alpha and ribavirine therapy enables to obtain a sustained virological response in about 56% of the treated children. 2. The frequency of recurrences of HCV infection in children amounts to 16%. 3. During the combined IFN-alpha and ribavirine treatment numerous side effects were observed, which in individual cases were the reason for treatment modification.