Treating children with chronic h...( More than half of 61 children infected ...),Health

More than half of 61 children infected with chronic hepatitis C achieved a sustained viral response after treatment with peginterferon-alfa-2b and ribavirin, report the authors of a new study published in the May 2005 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., the journal is available online via Wiley InterScience at www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/hepatology.

The combined treatment regimen is considered the best available treatment for adults with chronic hepatitis C, but until now, no published studies have examined its value of for children. To address this lack of information, researchers, led by Stefan Wirth of HELIOS Children's Hospital Wuppertal, Germany sought to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the therapy in infected children based on HCV genotype, liver enzyme tests, and route of disease transmission.

The researchers recruited 62 children ranging in age from 2 to 17 years, of mixed genders and races, all with chronic hepatitis C. Researchers determined their HCV genotype, mode of infection, and liver enzyme levels, then initiated the therapy that included a weekly subcutaneous dose of peginterferon-alfa-2b and a daily oral dose of ribavirin. All 62 completed the therapy according to the study protocol, save one who dropped out after developing an allergic reaction at the injection site.

Twelve months later, 39 of the 61 patients (64 percent) had undetectable levels of HCV RNA. Three of these responders relapsed during the 6-month follow-up period, but 36 (59 percent) remained HCV-free. All of the children with HCV genotype 2 or 3 achieved a persistent sustained viral response, in contrast to the fewer than half of the patients with HCV genotype 1. The study also showed that children who had been infected via needle (for example, from a blood transfus
'"/>

Contact: David Greenberg
dgreenbe@wiley.com
201-748-6484
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2-May-2005

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Treating HIV in war zones -- Public health emergencies need rapid advice from WHO
2. Treating prostate cancer in elderly men associated with longer survival, compared to non-treatment
3. AASM position statement: Treating insomnia with over-the-counter sleep aids, herbal supplements
4. Treating medically unexplained symptoms
5. Treating obesity may improve the efficacy of therapy for hepatitis C
6. Treating populations infected with HIV and latent TB could speed the emergence of drug-resistant TB
7. Treating glaucoma early lowers economic burden
8. Treating gum disease may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
9. Treating multiple brain tumors with radiosurgery results in improved survival
10. Treating individuals with substance-abuse disorders who have attempted suicide
11. Treating mental health in general practice