[Chronic hepatitis B. Treatment in childhood with alpha-interferon]

In adults several trials of successful therapy for chronic hepatitis B using alpha-interferon with rates of seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe of 30-40% have been reported. Despite the experiences in children are limited, alpha-interferon seems to be a promising drug in this age group as well. We report on our results in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus carrier using the recombination interferon alpha-2b.

24 children aged 0.6-16 years with chronic active or chronic persistent hepatitis B were included in the study. 12 children received 9 million units of alpha-interferon/m2 body surface area three times a week during four months. 12 control patients were not treated. The follow-up period was 9-12 months after the beginning of therapy. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBe and Hepatitis-B-Virus-DNA were assessed during this time on a regular basis.

Only seroconversion of HBe-Ag to anti-HBe was considered as response to interferon treatment. During the follow-up period anti-HBe could be detected in 5 (41.6%) of the treated and in one (8.3%) of the untreated children. In one case additional seroconversion of HBsAg to anti-HBs due to virus elimination was observed. In all children a marked reduction of viral replication could be shown. 9 patients cleared Hepatitis-B-Virus-DNA at least for one time during therapy. Alpha-interferon was well tolerated and no severe side effects were observed.

Our results demonstrate that alpha-interferon can be successfully applied to a considerable number of children with chronic hepatitis B. In patients responding to alpha-interferon usually serum transaminases become normal and infectivity of the disease is markedly reduced. alpha-Interferon treatment should be primarily recommended for children with chronic active inflammation.