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Hepatitis B and C in children

Evelyn K Hsu1, Karen F Murray

  • 1Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Nature Clinical Practice. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|April 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Chronic hepatitis B and C infections impact millions globally, leading to severe liver disease. While treatments exist for children, careful patient selection is crucial for effective management of these viral infections.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) affects 350 million globally, a leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis.
  • Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) affects 170 million, with 60-80% developing chronic infection and 10-15% cirrhosis.
  • Both HBV and HCV pose significant global health burdens, necessitating effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current understanding of chronic hepatitis B and C infections in children.
  • To highlight the importance of treatment selection for pediatric chronic HBV.
  • To emphasize prevention of parenteral transmission for HCV due to lack of vaccine.

Main Methods:

  • Review of global prevalence and transmission routes for HBV and HCV.
  • Summary of current US-approved treatments for pediatric chronic HBV (interferon alpha, lamivudine).
  • Summary of current US-approved treatments for pediatric chronic HCV (interferon alpha, ribavirin).

Main Results:

  • HBV infection rates decreasing due to infant immunization but vertical/horizontal transmission persists.
  • HCV infection often presents silently, requiring high clinical suspicion for diagnosis.
  • Approved treatments for chronic HBV in children >2 years and chronic HCV in children >3 years exist.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of chronic viral hepatitis in children requires careful consideration of treatment suitability.
  • Preventive measures, including vaccination for HBV and safe practices for HCV, remain critical.
  • Ongoing research and clinical evaluation are essential for optimizing pediatric hepatitis treatment outcomes.

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