Korean J Pediatr.  2007 Sep;50(9):823-834. 10.3345/kjp.2007.50.9.823.

The management and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Korean children

• Choe BH

• KMID: 2140810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2007.50.9.823

Abstract

Interferon (IFN) alpha has been the first line therapy of chronic hepatitis B in children, but HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 26% of treated children compared to 11% of controls in multinational randomized controlled study. Recently, lamivudine was shown to be a potent inhibitor of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reproduction both in HBeAg positive and in HBeAg negative (the pre-core mutant form) chronic hepatitis in randomized studies worldwide. Lamivudine therapy led to considerable improvement in the seroconversion rate of HBeAg in children with chronic hepatitis B, though long-term therapy resulted in the expansion of lamivudine-resistant mutant viruses. Combination therapy with lamivudine plus alpha-IFN does not seem to improve HBe Ag seroconversion. Above all, the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is universal HBV vaccination.

Keyword

Chronic Hepatitis B; Management; Treatment; Interferon; Lamivudine; Children

MeSH Terms

Child*
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B e Antigens
Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis B, Chronic*
Hepatitis, Chronic*
Humans
Interferons
Lamivudine
Reproduction
Vaccination
Hepatitis B e Antigens
Interferons
Lamivudine