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Efficacy of vitamin E in children with immunotolerant-phase chronic hepatitis B infection

Bunyamin Dikici1, Abdullah Dagli, Hasan Ucmak

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Duzce Medical Faculty, Duzce, Turkey. bdikici@hotmail.com

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|September 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study found vitamin E did not improve liver enzymes or viral load in children with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection. Further research into other immunomodulators is recommended for this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection affects children worldwide.
  • The immunotolerant phase is characterized by high viral replication and normal liver enzymes.
  • Effective treatment strategies for this phase are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of vitamin E in children with immunotolerant-phase CHB infection.
  • To evaluate the impact of vitamin E on serological, virologic, and biochemical markers.
  • To determine if vitamin E offers a beneficial effect in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized study involving 58 children with immunotolerant CHB.
  • Group 1 received vitamin E (100 mg/day) for 3 months; Group 2 (control) received no medication.
  • Outcomes assessed included alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA load at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-therapy.

Main Results:

  • No significant changes in mean ALT values or HBV-DNA load were observed in the vitamin E group compared to the control group.
  • No statistically significant differences in ALT or HBV-DNA levels were found between the two groups at any time point.
  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) clearance or seroconversion were not observed in either group.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin E demonstrated no beneficial effect in children with immunotolerant CHB infection.
  • This is the first study to investigate vitamin E's efficacy in this specific pediatric CHB phase.
  • Future research should explore alternative immunomodulatory protocols for treating immunotolerant CHB in children.
Abstract

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