Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children with pegylated interferon and ribavirin : the impact of dose

Introduction : In the last years children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have been treated with Pegylated Interferon a (PEG- IFNa) and ribavirin (RBV). Treatment can cause several side effects that require reduction or interruption of therapy. The relationship between dose of PEG-IFNa and response to therapy has not been clearly evaluated. Aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the dose of PEG-IFNa2b and RBV on the efficacy of therapy. Patients and method : All children with CHC treated with PEG- IFNa2b and RBV, observed at the Paediatric Liver Unit of Univer- sity Federico II of Naples from 1996 to 2006 were evaluated. Results : Sixteen children with CHC treated with combined ther- apy were enrolled. Seven out of 16 patients (43.7%) achieved rapid virological response ; 13/16 patients (81.2%) achieved early viro- logical response ; 5/16 patients (31.25%) relapsed ; 1 patient re- sulted non responder. According to percentage of expected dose, our patients were divided into two groups : the first group included 7 patients that performed an overall dosage of PEG-IFNa2b = 75% of the scheduled full dose ; the second group included 9 patients that performedm PEG-IFNa2b dose < 75% of scheduled full dose. No difference was noted in terms of sustained virological response. Conclusion : Modifications of therapy due to PEG-IFNa-related adverse events are frequent in children with CHC, but dose adjust- ments do not seem to impair efficacy of therapy. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2015, 78, 8-11).