The objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on epidemiology, natural history, treatment and outcomes of paediatric chronic hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B virus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The anti-hepatitis B therapies currently available are highly effective in controlling viral replication but far to achieve the goals of inducing an effective immunological response and of obtaining viral elimination. Indications for treatment of chronic hepatitis B are still unclear. There is need to establish a consensus on when to start treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B and to push forward the research on new treatments. The approval of direct-acting antivirals active against hepatitis C virus changed significantly the approach to both adults and children with chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C is now a curable infection. The use of direct-acting antiviral regimens results in high virological response rates independently of the patient’s treatment history, hepatitis C virus genotype, the presence of co-infections and of staging of liver disease after a short course (8–12 weeks) of treatment. The safety profile of the new therapies is excellent.
Indolfi, G., D'Antiga, L. (2019). CHronic viral hepatitis. In L. D'Antiga (a cura di), Pediatric Hepatology and Liver Transplantation (pp. 155-173). Springer International Publishing [10.1007/978-3-319-96400-3_9].
CHronic viral hepatitis
D'Antiga L.
2019
Abstract
The objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on epidemiology, natural history, treatment and outcomes of paediatric chronic hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B virus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The anti-hepatitis B therapies currently available are highly effective in controlling viral replication but far to achieve the goals of inducing an effective immunological response and of obtaining viral elimination. Indications for treatment of chronic hepatitis B are still unclear. There is need to establish a consensus on when to start treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B and to push forward the research on new treatments. The approval of direct-acting antivirals active against hepatitis C virus changed significantly the approach to both adults and children with chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C is now a curable infection. The use of direct-acting antiviral regimens results in high virological response rates independently of the patient’s treatment history, hepatitis C virus genotype, the presence of co-infections and of staging of liver disease after a short course (8–12 weeks) of treatment. The safety profile of the new therapies is excellent.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.