BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN CHILDREN
Abstract
Hepatitis C can lead to liver fibrosis. Aim: In this study, we evaluated the age, gender, body mass index (BMI), route of transmission and biochemical parameters of children treated with Interferon vs Interferon + Ribavirin and the relationship with fatty liver disease (FLD) and response to treatment. Material and methods: This retrospective and prospective study was conducted over an 8-year period (2009-2017) and included 62 children, aged 6-18 years, diagnosed with hepatitis C, admitted to 2nd Clinic of Pediatrics of “Sf. Maria” Children’s Emergency Hospital, Iasi. The patients studied were divided into 2 groups: group I - 28 patients who received monotherapy (Interferon) and group 2 - 34 patients who received combination therapy (Interferon + Ribavirin). Liver fibrosis was assessed using FibroScan, and the presence of FLD by abdominal ultrasound. Biochemical parameters were determined at the initiation and at the end of antiviral therapy, 48 weeks. Results: In both groups, vertical transmission was the most common route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but in a large proportion of patients the transmission route could not be identified. The biochemical parameters aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were elevated in both group at the initiation of treatment, but decreased during treatment, and the relationship between aminotransferases and FLD was also demonstrated. HCV RNA levels showed a positive correlation with ALT in both study groups (p=.002 in group 1 and p=.036 in group 2). We have also found a negative association of HCV-RNA with bilirubin (r=-.148, p=.000) in group 1. Conclusions: The relationship between biochemical parameters and FLD may be a marker of hepatitis progression and of prognosis in these patients.
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