Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B: Enhanced response in children 5 years old or younger

[Guest guest]

J Pediatr. 2004 Sep;145(3):340-5.

Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B: Enhanced response in children

5 years old or younger.

Kobak GE, Mackenzie T, Sokol RJ, Narkewicz MR.

Objective To test the hypothesis that there is an improved response to

interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) who are </=5 years of

age. Study design Retrospective chart review of 22 consecutive children with

chronic HBV (ages 17 months to 17 years; median, 83.9 months; 14 male, 8

female) treated with interferon-alpha2b. Results Ten patients (48%)

responded to treatment [HBeAg (-), Anti-HBe (+), HBV DNA (-), HBsAg (+) and

normal alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) at 6

months after treatment], and 5 seroconverted HBsAg [above plus HBsAg

negative and anti-HBs (+)]. Seven of 9 patients (78%) </=5 years of age

responded (5 cleared HBsAg). Three of 13 patients (23%) >5 years of age

responded. Patient age at treatment was significantly lower in responders

(63 +/- 70 months) versus nonresponders (104 +/- 55 months, P =.005). AST,

ALT, and HBV DNA at the start of treatment were not different between

responders and nonresponders or between patients </=5 and >5 years old.

Conclusions Interferon treatment may be more effective in younger children

with chronic hepatitis B.

PMID: 15343187 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

J Pediatr. 2004 Sep;145(3):340-5.

Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B: Enhanced response in children

5 years old or younger.

Kobak GE, Mackenzie T, Sokol RJ, Narkewicz MR.

Objective To test the hypothesis that there is an improved response to

interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) who are </=5 years of

age. Study design Retrospective chart review of 22 consecutive children with

chronic HBV (ages 17 months to 17 years; median, 83.9 months; 14 male, 8

female) treated with interferon-alpha2b. Results Ten patients (48%)

responded to treatment [HBeAg (-), Anti-HBe (+), HBV DNA (-), HBsAg (+) and

normal alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) at 6

months after treatment], and 5 seroconverted HBsAg [above plus HBsAg

negative and anti-HBs (+)]. Seven of 9 patients (78%) </=5 years of age

responded (5 cleared HBsAg). Three of 13 patients (23%) >5 years of age

responded. Patient age at treatment was significantly lower in responders

(63 +/- 70 months) versus nonresponders (104 +/- 55 months, P =.005). AST,

ALT, and HBV DNA at the start of treatment were not different between

responders and nonresponders or between patients </=5 and >5 years old.

Conclusions Interferon treatment may be more effective in younger children

with chronic hepatitis B.

PMID: 15343187 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

J Pediatr. 2004 Sep;145(3):340-5.

Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B: Enhanced response in children

5 years old or younger.

Kobak GE, Mackenzie T, Sokol RJ, Narkewicz MR.

Objective To test the hypothesis that there is an improved response to

interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) who are </=5 years of

age. Study design Retrospective chart review of 22 consecutive children with

chronic HBV (ages 17 months to 17 years; median, 83.9 months; 14 male, 8

female) treated with interferon-alpha2b. Results Ten patients (48%)

responded to treatment [HBeAg (-), Anti-HBe (+), HBV DNA (-), HBsAg (+) and

normal alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) at 6

months after treatment], and 5 seroconverted HBsAg [above plus HBsAg

negative and anti-HBs (+)]. Seven of 9 patients (78%) </=5 years of age

responded (5 cleared HBsAg). Three of 13 patients (23%) >5 years of age

responded. Patient age at treatment was significantly lower in responders

(63 +/- 70 months) versus nonresponders (104 +/- 55 months, P =.005). AST,

ALT, and HBV DNA at the start of treatment were not different between

responders and nonresponders or between patients </=5 and >5 years old.

Conclusions Interferon treatment may be more effective in younger children

with chronic hepatitis B.

PMID: 15343187 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

J Pediatr. 2004 Sep;145(3):340-5.

Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B: Enhanced response in children

5 years old or younger.

Kobak GE, Mackenzie T, Sokol RJ, Narkewicz MR.

Objective To test the hypothesis that there is an improved response to

interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) who are </=5 years of

age. Study design Retrospective chart review of 22 consecutive children with

chronic HBV (ages 17 months to 17 years; median, 83.9 months; 14 male, 8

female) treated with interferon-alpha2b. Results Ten patients (48%)

responded to treatment [HBeAg (-), Anti-HBe (+), HBV DNA (-), HBsAg (+) and

normal alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) at 6

months after treatment], and 5 seroconverted HBsAg [above plus HBsAg

negative and anti-HBs (+)]. Seven of 9 patients (78%) </=5 years of age

responded (5 cleared HBsAg). Three of 13 patients (23%) >5 years of age

responded. Patient age at treatment was significantly lower in responders

(63 +/- 70 months) versus nonresponders (104 +/- 55 months, P =.005). AST,

ALT, and HBV DNA at the start of treatment were not different between

responders and nonresponders or between patients </=5 and >5 years old.

Conclusions Interferon treatment may be more effective in younger children

with chronic hepatitis B.

PMID: 15343187 [PubMed - in process]