Response to Pegylated Interferon [alpha]-2b and Ribavirin in Children with Chronic Hepatitis C

Citation

Baker, Robert D.; Dee, Deborah L.; & Baker, Susan S. (2007). Response to Pegylated Interferon [alpha]-2b and Ribavirin in Children with Chronic Hepatitis C. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 41(1), 111-114.

Abstract

Goals: The purpose of this communication is to report our observations on the treatment of a diverse group of adolescent patients who were chronically infected with hepatitis C and received pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Background: The currently accepted optimal therapy for adults with chronic hepatitis C is weekly injections of pegylated interferon and twice daily oral ribavirin. Information on interferon alone or in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C in children is limited. There is no published information on pegylated interferon and ribavirin in pediatric patients who previously failed interferon therapy.
Report: Ten patients 11 to 18 years old received weekly pegylated interferon and twice daily ribavirin for hepatitis C. Treatment continued for 48 weeks, except for 1 patient with hepatitis C virus type 3a who was treated for 24 weeks and 1 patient who did not complete the course of treatment. The period of observation continued from November 2002 to December 2004. Within this group were 3 pediatric patients who had previously failed interferon therapy for hepatitis C.
Results: All but 1 patient had a viral response (no detectable virus) at some time during or after the treatment. Three patients achieved sustained viral response (no detectable virus 6 mo after the therapy). One patient who previously failed interferon therapy was among the sustained responders.
Conclusions: In response to treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C achieve results similar to those seen in adults. Previous antiviral therapy does not preclude positive response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e31802dd2f6

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2007

Journal Title

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

Author(s)

Baker, Robert D.
Dee, Deborah L.
Baker, Susan S.