Pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 in adolescents.
Ann Hepatol
; 9(2): 156-60, 2010.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20526008
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis C is endemic in the Middle East where genotype 4 accounts for most cases. Data regarding the safety and efficacy of peginterferon plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children and adolescents, particularly those infected with genotype 4 is limited. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of peginterferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin in adolescents chronically infected with HCV genotype 4. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
In an open-labeled, uncontrolled pilot study, 12 adolescents (range14-17 years) were treated with subcutaneous peginterferon alfa-2b at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg body weight once per week plus oral ribavirin (15 mg/kg/day) for 48 weeks. Patients were followed for 24 weeks post-treatment. All patients had biopsy proven hepatitis without cirrhosis.RESULTS:
One patient withdrew from the study due to developing insulin dependent diabetes mellitus 4 months into treatment. The remaining patients received at least 80% of the prescribed dose of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Sustained viral response was observed in 9 patients (75%). The most frequent side effect was flu like illness which was reported in all patients. Sixty seven percent had leucopenia, but only one individual required adjuvant therapy with hematologic growth factor. Four patients had anemia requiring ribavirin dose reduction. One patient developed hypothyroidism.CONCLUSION:
Combination treatment of peginterferon alfa-2b with ribavirin appears to be efficacious and relatively safe in adolescents with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.B.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Antivirais
/
Polietilenoglicóis
/
Ribavirina
/
Interferon-alfa
/
Hepacivirus
/
Hepatite C Crônica
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Hepatol
Assunto da revista:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Kuait