Current Role of Lamivudine Regarding Therapeutic Response and Resistance in Children with Chronic Hepatitis B.
10.5223/pghn.2013.16.2.80
- Author:
Suk Jin HONG
1
;
Yeo Hyang KIM
;
Byung Ho CHOE
;
Hyo Jung PARK
;
Won Young TAK
;
Young Oh KWEON
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. bhchoi@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chronic hepatitis;
Child;
Lamivudine;
Seroconversion;
Therapeutics
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Aged;
Alanine Transaminase;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
DNA;
Hepatitis B e Antigens;
Hepatitis B virus;
Hepatitis B, Chronic;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Humans;
Lamivudine;
Multivariate Analysis
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2013;16(2):80-88
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To identify the predictive factors of long-term therapeutic response or resistance to lamivudine treatment in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Eighty one children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis B were included, who received lamivudine treatment for at least 6 months. Their condition was monitored for at least 12 months (12-88 months) thereafter. Twenty one (25.9%) were preschool children (age< or =6). For patients who had developed HBeAg seroconversion or breakthrough, univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the effects of age, gender, pretreatment alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatitis B virus DNA levels. RESULTS: HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 49 (60.5%) of the 81 patients after the initiation of the lamivudine therapy. In 65 patients whom were monitored for over 24 months, the seroconversion rate was significantly higher in younger patients (p=0.040), especially in those patients of preschool age (age< or =6, p=0.031). The seroconversion rate was significantly higher in higher pretreatment ALT (p=0.003). The breakthrough occurred in 21 (25.9%) of the 81. The breakthrough rate was lower in younger aged patients (age< or =6), and with higher pretreatment ALT levels, but no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Younger age is a good predictor of HBeAg seroconversion in children with long-term lamivudine treatment as well as high pretreatment ALT levels.
