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Dynamic Changes of Growth and Thyroid Function in Young Children With Chronic Hepatitis B Treated With Peginterferon
Qiufeng He1, Chuangjie Mao1, Zhili Chen1
1From the Department of Hepatology, Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Insights
Peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIFN α-2b) may inhibit growth and increase thyroid dysfunction in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). These effects are usually temporary after treatment cessation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Peginterferon (PegIFN) shows promise for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
- Evaluating PegIFN α-2b's impact on growth and thyroid function in pediatric CHB patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of PegIFN α-2b monotherapy on growth parameters (WAZ, HAZ, BAZ) and thyroid function in young children with CHB.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 62 children with CHB treated with PegIFN α-2b.
- Statistical analysis included t-tests and repeated ANOVA to evaluate growth and thyroid data.
Main Results:
- PegIFN α-2b treatment led to decreased weight-for-age z score (WAZ), height-for-age z score (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age z score (BAZ) at later time points.
- Thyroid dysfunction occurred in 17.7% of children but was transient and did not impact growth.
- WAZ did not fully recover to baseline by 96 weeks post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- PegIFN α-2b can inhibit growth and elevate thyroid dysfunction risk in pediatric CHB patients.
- Observed growth inhibition and thyroid dysfunction are generally reversible after treatment cessation.
- Long-term growth monitoring, particularly WAZ, is recommended post-PegIFN α-2b therapy.
Background:
Peginterferon (PegIFN) has shown promising results in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PegIFN α-2b on growth and thyroid function in young children with CHB.
Methods:
A retrospective study was performed by extracting clinical data from children with CHB who received PegIFN α-2b monotherapy at the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between June 2017 and December 2020. Mean, SD, independent samples t test and 1-way repeated analysis of variance were used to evaluate relevant data.
Results:
A total of 62 children were included in this study. Overall, significant differences were observed in the weight-for-age z score (WAZ), height-for-age z score (HAZ) and body mass index-for-age z score (BAZ) at different time points ( P < 0.001). WAZ, HAZ and BAZ were not affected by PegIFN α-2b at 24 weeks of treatment (all P > 0.05). WAZ, HAZ and BAZ at the end of treatment and 48 weeks after treatment; WAZ at 96 weeks after treatment were lower than baseline levels (all P < 0.05). No statistical differences were found in HAZ and BAZ at 96 weeks after treatment compared with baseline. Thyroid dysfunction developed in 17.7% of children during the treatment. Thyroid dysfunction was transient and had no effect on growth.
Conclusions:
PegIFN α-2b has inhibitory effects on growth and can increase the incidence of thyroid dysfunction in young children with CHB. These effects are generally reversible with the cessation of therapy, although WAZ had not returned to baseline after 96 weeks of observation.
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