Hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children: single centre experience

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 471 - September 2004

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2004.00535.x

Hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children: single centre experience

M. S. El-Raziky1, M. El-Hawary1, N. El-Koofy1, S. Okasha1, M. Kotb1, K.

Salama1, G. Esmat2, M. El-Raziky2, A. M. Abouzied2 and H. El-Karaksy1

Summary. The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection acquired in

childhood is uncertain because of the diversity of the epidemiological and

clinical features of infection and disease. The aim of this study was to

determine the outcome of HCV infection in 105 Egyptian children who tested

positive for HCV antibody (anti-HCV). The data of 105 anti-HCV-positive

children presenting to the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University

Children's Hospital, between 1995 and 2002, were retrospectively analysed

for risk factors. Seventy-four children with available polymerase chain

reaction results were further analysed clinically, serologically and

histologically. The age range was 1.3-22 years, with a mean of 11.2 ± 4.9

years. History of blood transfusion was found in 81 children (77%). HCV RNA

was detected in 58.1% of 74 children. Persistently elevated alanine

aminotransferase (ALT) levels were present in 40 patients (54.1%). Hepatitis

B virus markers (HBsAg and/or anti-HBc) were detected in 18 patients

(24.3%). Twenty-six of the 43 HCV RNA-positive children underwent a

diagnostic liver biopsy that showed chronic hepatitis in 19 patients

(73.1%), cirrhosis in one case only (3.8%), and normal biopsy findings in

seven children (26.9%). Blood transfusion remains a major risk of HCV

transmission among Egyptian children. HCV infection is not always benign in

the childhood period. ALT levels remain elevated in half of the children and

histological abnormalities are detected in three quarters of HCV

RNA-positive cases.

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 471 - September 2004

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2004.00535.x

Hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children: single centre experience

M. S. El-Raziky1, M. El-Hawary1, N. El-Koofy1, S. Okasha1, M. Kotb1, K.

Salama1, G. Esmat2, M. El-Raziky2, A. M. Abouzied2 and H. El-Karaksy1

Summary. The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection acquired in

childhood is uncertain because of the diversity of the epidemiological and

clinical features of infection and disease. The aim of this study was to

determine the outcome of HCV infection in 105 Egyptian children who tested

positive for HCV antibody (anti-HCV). The data of 105 anti-HCV-positive

children presenting to the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University

Children's Hospital, between 1995 and 2002, were retrospectively analysed

for risk factors. Seventy-four children with available polymerase chain

reaction results were further analysed clinically, serologically and

histologically. The age range was 1.3-22 years, with a mean of 11.2 ± 4.9

years. History of blood transfusion was found in 81 children (77%). HCV RNA

was detected in 58.1% of 74 children. Persistently elevated alanine

aminotransferase (ALT) levels were present in 40 patients (54.1%). Hepatitis

B virus markers (HBsAg and/or anti-HBc) were detected in 18 patients

(24.3%). Twenty-six of the 43 HCV RNA-positive children underwent a

diagnostic liver biopsy that showed chronic hepatitis in 19 patients

(73.1%), cirrhosis in one case only (3.8%), and normal biopsy findings in

seven children (26.9%). Blood transfusion remains a major risk of HCV

transmission among Egyptian children. HCV infection is not always benign in

the childhood period. ALT levels remain elevated in half of the children and

histological abnormalities are detected in three quarters of HCV

RNA-positive cases.

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 471 - September 2004

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2004.00535.x

Hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children: single centre experience

M. S. El-Raziky1, M. El-Hawary1, N. El-Koofy1, S. Okasha1, M. Kotb1, K.

Salama1, G. Esmat2, M. El-Raziky2, A. M. Abouzied2 and H. El-Karaksy1

Summary. The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection acquired in

childhood is uncertain because of the diversity of the epidemiological and

clinical features of infection and disease. The aim of this study was to

determine the outcome of HCV infection in 105 Egyptian children who tested

positive for HCV antibody (anti-HCV). The data of 105 anti-HCV-positive

children presenting to the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University

Children's Hospital, between 1995 and 2002, were retrospectively analysed

for risk factors. Seventy-four children with available polymerase chain

reaction results were further analysed clinically, serologically and

histologically. The age range was 1.3-22 years, with a mean of 11.2 ± 4.9

years. History of blood transfusion was found in 81 children (77%). HCV RNA

was detected in 58.1% of 74 children. Persistently elevated alanine

aminotransferase (ALT) levels were present in 40 patients (54.1%). Hepatitis

B virus markers (HBsAg and/or anti-HBc) were detected in 18 patients

(24.3%). Twenty-six of the 43 HCV RNA-positive children underwent a

diagnostic liver biopsy that showed chronic hepatitis in 19 patients

(73.1%), cirrhosis in one case only (3.8%), and normal biopsy findings in

seven children (26.9%). Blood transfusion remains a major risk of HCV

transmission among Egyptian children. HCV infection is not always benign in

the childhood period. ALT levels remain elevated in half of the children and

histological abnormalities are detected in three quarters of HCV

RNA-positive cases.

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 11 Issue 5 Page 471 - September 2004

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2004.00535.x

Hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children: single centre experience

M. S. El-Raziky1, M. El-Hawary1, N. El-Koofy1, S. Okasha1, M. Kotb1, K.

Salama1, G. Esmat2, M. El-Raziky2, A. M. Abouzied2 and H. El-Karaksy1

Summary. The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection acquired in

childhood is uncertain because of the diversity of the epidemiological and

clinical features of infection and disease. The aim of this study was to

determine the outcome of HCV infection in 105 Egyptian children who tested

positive for HCV antibody (anti-HCV). The data of 105 anti-HCV-positive

children presenting to the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University

Children's Hospital, between 1995 and 2002, were retrospectively analysed

for risk factors. Seventy-four children with available polymerase chain

reaction results were further analysed clinically, serologically and

histologically. The age range was 1.3-22 years, with a mean of 11.2 ± 4.9

years. History of blood transfusion was found in 81 children (77%). HCV RNA

was detected in 58.1% of 74 children. Persistently elevated alanine

aminotransferase (ALT) levels were present in 40 patients (54.1%). Hepatitis

B virus markers (HBsAg and/or anti-HBc) were detected in 18 patients

(24.3%). Twenty-six of the 43 HCV RNA-positive children underwent a

diagnostic liver biopsy that showed chronic hepatitis in 19 patients

(73.1%), cirrhosis in one case only (3.8%), and normal biopsy findings in

seven children (26.9%). Blood transfusion remains a major risk of HCV

transmission among Egyptian children. HCV infection is not always benign in

the childhood period. ALT levels remain elevated in half of the children and

histological abnormalities are detected in three quarters of HCV

RNA-positive cases.