Effects of pegylated interferon-α-2a monotherapy on growth in Japanese children with chronic hepatitis C.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The relationship between pegylated interferon (PEG IFN)-α-2a and growth of children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) remains unclear. This study was to evaluate the effects of PEG IFN-α-2a on growth. METHODS: From 2003-2012, we prospectively analyzed the data of children with CHC through mother-to-infant transmission. They were all treatment naive and were treated with PEG IFN-α-2a monotherapy. RESULTS: Among 31 children (19 boys, 12 girls; median age, 6 years) treated with monotherapy during the study period, 21 children (13 boys, eight girls; median age, 7 years) were statistically analyzed. The median treatment period of the 21 children was 48 weeks (range, 48-72). Z-scores of height and weight before treatment, at the end of treatment and 1 year after treatment were -0.05, -0.24 and -0.12 (height), and +0.11, -0.23 and -0.05 (weight). Both Z-scores were significantly decreased at the end of the treatment. One year after treatment, Z-scores of height and bodyweight were significantly improved compared with that of end of treatment but were still lower than those before treatment, with statistical significance. Z-scores of height growth velocity was significantly increased after the treatment (+0.71), compared with that during treatment (-2.25). CONCLUSION: PEG IFN-α-2a has an inhibitory effect on children's growth, and Z-scores of height and bodyweight were decreased at the end of treatment. Although Z-scores improved after the treatment, they had not returned to the baseline level 1 year after the treatment.