Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Epidemiology and Natural History of Childhood-Acquired Chronic Hepatitis C: A Single-Center Long-Term Prospective
Mariangela Stinco1, Elisa Bartolini1, Piero Veronese2
1From the Liver Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Insights
Childhood hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often chronic but curable with modern antiviral therapy. Early treatment in children can prevent advanced liver disease, improving long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hepatology
- Viral Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection acquired in childhood presents unique epidemiological and long-term outcome considerations.
- Understanding the natural history of pediatric HCV is crucial for effective management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively describe the epidemiology and long-term outcomes of childhood-acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral therapies in a pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center study included 163 children with chronic HCV infection from 1988 to 2021.
- Data collected on infection acquisition (vertical vs. horizontal), spontaneous clearance, and treatment outcomes.
- Follow-up duration ranged from infancy to late adolescence.
Main Results:
- Most infections were acquired vertically (125/163).
- Spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA occurred in 20.8% of vertically infected children.
- Antiviral therapy demonstrated high sustained virological response (SVR) rates (7/8 with pegylated-interferon, 23/24 with direct-acting antivirals).
Conclusions:
- Childhood HCV infection is often chronic but treatable with current antiviral therapies.
- Early intervention with antiviral therapy is recommended to prevent the development of advanced liver disease.
- This study represents the largest prospective cohort of children with chronic HCV infection.
Objectives:
To prospectively describe the epidemiology and long-term outcome of childhood-acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a large cohort of children followed at a single center.
Methods:
All children with chronic HCV infection followed at the Liver Unit of our tertiary Hospital in Florence (Italy) from January 1, 1988, to September 30, 2021, were included in the analysis.
Results:
The final sample consisted of 163 children (median age at enrollment 4 years, interquartile range (IQR): 10; median age at last follow-up 14 years, IQR: 7). The median duration of follow-up was 86 months (IQR: 112). One hundred twenty-five children were vertically infected and 26 acquired the infection horizontally. Twenty-six of the 125 children who were vertically infected (20.8%) underwent spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA at a median age of 4 years (IQR: 2), whereas all the others remained persistently viremic. One patient was diagnosed with cirrhosis; 2 presented clinically detectable extrahepatic manifestations (chronic urticaria). Thirty-two children (19.6%) received antiviral therapy: 8 out of 32 (25%) were treated with pegylated-interferon alfa-2b [sustained virological response (SVR) 24 weeks after the end of treatment in 7/8]; 24 out of 32 (75%) were treated with direct-acting antivirals (SVR 12 weeks after the end of treatment in 23/24).
Conclusions:
The present study describes the largest cohort of children with chronic HCV infection prospectively evaluated with a long follow-up at a single center. HCV infection in children is often a chronic infection that can be cured with modern antiviral therapy. Early treatment could prevent the development of advanced liver disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...