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[Hepatitis C in children--diagnosis, follow-up and treatment]
Astrid Rojahn1, Karl-Olaf Wathne
1Seksjon for infeksjonssykdommer Barnemedisinsk avdeling Ullevål universitetssykehus 0407 Oslo. astrid.rojahn@ulleval.no
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children is uncommon but often chronic, with typically mild liver damage. This report proposes management strategies for Norwegian pediatricians based on international data.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Virology
Context:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is infrequent in Western children.
- Most pediatric HCV infections become chronic, but liver damage is usually mild.
- No consensus reports exist for managing HCV in Norwegian children.
Purpose:
- To discuss clinical management strategies for hepatitis C in children.
- To propose guidelines for follow-up of infected mothers and children.
- To outline treatment approaches for childhood hepatitis C.
Summary:
- Presents epidemiological data on HCV in children.
- Discusses the risk of vertical transmission and clinical characteristics.
- Reviews literature and experience from England and Sweden for management strategies.
- Recommends long-term follow-up to identify children needing treatment.
Impact:
- Provides crucial guidance for Norwegian pediatricians managing HCV.
- Aims to standardize care for children with hepatitis C.
- Highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring for timely intervention.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C-virus infection is relatively infrequent among children in the western world. Although most hepatitis C infections in children evolve to chronicity, liver damage is usually mild. In April 2001, a selected group of Norwegian paediatricians interested in infectious diseases convened to discuss the clinical management of hepatitis C in children. So far, no consensus reports concerning follow-up of hepatitis C infected mothers and their children or clinical management of chronic hepatitis C infection in childhood have been published. In view of the limited experience with hepatitis C among Norwegian children, strategies for the clinical management of hepatitis C infection are discussed based upon available literature and experience from England and Sweden. We present epidemiological data, the risk of vertical transmission and the clinical characteristics of hepatitis C in children. Procedures for follow-up of hepatitis C infected mothers and their children and guidelines for treatment of hepatitis C infected children are proposed. Long term follow-up to identify those who require treatment is important.