Hypomanic mood in a child patient treated with interferon-alpha 2a: case report

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Luigi Mazzone1, Diego Mugno

  • 1Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Pediatrics, University of Catania,Via S. Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, Italy. mazzone@unict.it

Brain & Development
|May 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Interferon-alpha 2a therapy for chronic hepatitis B in a child led to hypomanic mood and seizures. Early psychiatric evaluation and intervention are crucial for managing these side effects during treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B infection is a significant global health concern in children.
  • Interferon-alpha 2a (IFN-alpha 2a) is a therapeutic option for chronic hepatitis B.
  • Psychiatric side effects of IFN-alpha 2a therapy in pediatric populations require further investigation.

Observation:

  • A 10-year-old male child with chronic hepatitis B developed hypomanic mood and psychogenic seizures approximately 30 days after initiating IFN-alpha 2a treatment.
  • Psychological assessment revealed symptoms including hyperactivity, distractibility, excessive talkativeness, grandiosity, and racing thoughts.
  • The child exhibited heightened emotionality as a temperamental trait.

Findings:

  • The patient's psychiatric symptoms were successfully managed with risperidone and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
  • The IFN-alpha 2a treatment resulted in a positive clinical outcome for chronic hepatitis B after six months.
  • This case highlights the potential for affective disturbances in children undergoing IFN-alpha 2a therapy.

Implications:

  • Pediatricians and hepatologists should be vigilant for psychiatric adverse events during IFN-alpha 2a treatment.
  • Early psychiatric evaluation and appropriate therapeutic interventions are essential for children receiving IFN-alpha 2a.
  • Understanding and managing IFN-induced psychiatric symptoms can improve treatment adherence and outcomes in pediatric hepatitis B.

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