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Vitamin D status and viral response to therapy in hepatitis C infected children

Azza A Eltayeb1, Madleen Adel A Abdou1, Amal M Abdel-aal1

  • 1Azza A Eltayeb, Children University Hospital, Assiut University, 71515 Assiut, Egypt.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in children with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is linked to poor bone health. Supplementation improved antiviral treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in children.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is a potential comorbidity in HCV patients.
  • Bone health may be compromised in children with HCV.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric HCV patients.
  • To assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on antiviral therapy efficacy.
  • To evaluate bone mineral density in children with HCV.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 66 children with HCV and 28 healthy controls (aged 7-14 years).
  • Measurement of serum 25(OH)D3, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone, and HCV RNA.
  • Bone density assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; 33 HCV patients received vitamin D supplementation alongside conventional therapy.

Main Results:

  • Children with HCV exhibited higher HCV RNA and parathormone levels, and lower vitamin D levels (33.3% deficient, 43.3% insufficient) compared to controls.
  • Abnormal bone density was observed in HCV patients.
  • Vitamin D supplementation led to significantly improved early and sustained virological response.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Egyptian children with HCV, associated with reduced bone density.
  • Assessing and correcting vitamin D levels before antiviral treatment is recommended.
  • Vitamin D supplementation enhances virological response and mitigates bone fragility risk in HCV treatment.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenHepatitis CViral responseVitamin D

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