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Long-term growth outcomes in children treated for chronic hepatitis C

Maureen M Jonas1, Kathleen B Schwarz2, Regino Gonzalez-Peralta3

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|September 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment in children with hepatitis C may affect linear growth. However, long-term follow-up shows no lasting impact on height-for-age z scores after treatment cessation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can impact child development.
  • Peginterferon and ribavirin are used to treat HCV in children.
  • Concerns exist regarding the long-term effects of HCV treatment on growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term effects of peginterferon ± ribavirin treatment on linear growth in children with hepatitis C.
  • To assess height-for-age z scores up to 6 years post-treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of growth data from a subset of patients in the Pediatric Study of Hepatitis C trial.
  • Longitudinal follow-up of height-for-age z scores after antiviral therapy.

Main Results:

  • Initial growth effects were observed during peginterferon ± ribavirin treatment.
  • No significant long-term adverse effects on height-for-age z scores were detected up to 6 years post-treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis C virus treatment with peginterferon ± ribavirin does not appear to cause lasting growth impairment in children.
  • Linear growth in children treated for HCV is generally restored after therapy completion.

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