Prospective study of combination of interferon-α with ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children

Abstract

Objective To explore more efficacious therapy for chronic hepatitis C in children. Methods With combination of recombinant interferon-e/ribavirin therapy, we treated 15 children, with viral sera and biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C, who did not respond to the treatment of interferon-α alone and had frequently relapse, with the disease courses of 5-9 years (mean 4.5 years). Mean age of the children (12 males and 3 females) was 6.8 years (6 months-10 years). 14 patients had blood transfusion history. Results HCV RNA in 12 patients was negative after combined treatment of 3 months (1. 5-5 months). None of the patients treated had skin rash and severe adverse reaction. Transient fever and influenza-like symptoms with combined therapy were similar to those vith interferon-α therapy alone. Hemoglobin level decreased slightly in 9 patients (mean decrease by 5 g/L; max, 20 g/L). Reticulocytes elevated slightly. White blood cells, platelets, Bun and Cr were normal in all the patients. Conclusion Our results show that combination of interferon-α with ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C in children is efficacious, safe and reliable. It deserves popularization.