Michal Kori 1, Ronit Pakula 2, Yoav Luria 2
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Kaplan Medical Center 1.
Liver unit, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center 2.
Background: Combination therapy with Interferon-a and ribavirin is the standard treatment for hepatitis C in adults. There are very few reports in the literature of combined therapy for pediatric patients. We report the results of 7 pediatric patients treated with combination therapy.
Methods: Seven pediatric patients (6-16 years) were given Interferon-a 2b, 3 million U/m² subcutaneously three times a week and 15 mg/kg oral ribavirin daily for a total of 24-52 weeks.
Results: In 3/7 patients, treatment was stopped after 24 weeks because HCV-RNA was still detectable at this point. 4/7 patients achieved viral clearance during treatment. Three patients have completed 52 weeks of treatment, all 3 were PCR negative at the end of treatment. Two of these patients have a sustained response 12 months post treatment, the third has just finished treatment and has entered the follow-up period. The last patient has completed 6 months of treatment, achieved viral clearance, and will complete 52 weeks of therapy.
Side effects included, flue like illness, which resolved in all patients within 1-2 months, anorexia with weight loss, alopecia. Leukopenia requiring an IFN dose reduction was observed in 2 patients, anemia requiring ribavirin dose reduction was observed in 1 patient.
None of the patients had to stop treatment due to adverse effects. There were no serious and/or irreversible side effects.
Conclusions: Combination treatment with Interferon-a and ribavirin for hepatitis C is safe and effective in pediatric patients with a viral response during treatment of 57.4%. A sustained response rate of 28.5%-57.4% is possible.
9:40-9:50
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