[Effects of transfer factor on chronic hepatitis B in childhood]

Nine children, 1 to 13 years of age, with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B received transfer factor (T.F.) monotherapy for 3 to 17 months, and were monitored by check-ups every six months from serum HBeAg, anti-HBe and GPT. In 12 months, 4 subjects became HBeAg negative and had normal serum GPT. In 22 to 48 months, 6 of the nine subjects had negative HBeAg and normal GPT, 2 had positive HBeAg and high GPT values. The remaining 1 subject who was observed for six months after T.F. therapy remained HBeAg positive with a high GPT values. No side effects were observed. These preliminary observations may indicate beneficial effects of T.F. on the natural course of chronic hepatitis B in childhood, though the ultimate effects awaits longer and well controlled clinical trials.