The Comparison of Interferon-alpha Treatment by Dosages and Retreatment for Chronic Hepatitis B in Children.
- Author:
Chang Hwan JANG
1
;
Kyung Hee LEE
;
Wi Kyung HWANG
;
Ki Won OH
;
Woo Saeng PARK
;
Jun Hwa LEE
;
Cheol Woo KO
;
Byung Ho CHOE
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 B;
Interferon;
Treatment;
Children
- MeSH:
Child*;
DNA;
Hepatitis B, Chronic*;
Hepatitis, Chronic*;
Humans;
Interferon-alpha*;
Interferons;
Retreatment*
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
2003;6(2):152-160
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: We compared the therapeutic efficacy of low dose with that of standard dose of interferon (IFN) treatment and also compared the first IFN treatment with retreatment. METHODS: We have studied 51 children (age, 2~14) treated for chronic hepatitis B from March 1990 to August 1999. Twenty seven children had been treated with 3 MU/m2 (2.66+/-0.66 MU/m2) of IFN-alpha three times a week for 6 months (range, 6~12 months), whereas 24 children with 6 MU/m2 (4.45+/-0.94 MU/m2). There was no significant difference in gender, age, initial ALT and HBV DNA levels between each comparative group. RESULTS: Among the 27 children treated with 3 MU/m2 of IFN, ALT level had normalized in 11 children (41%) and anti-HBe seroconversion occurred in 9 children (33%) one year after the initiation of treatment. In comparison, among the 24 children treated with 6 MU/m2 of IFN, ALT normalized in 12 children (50%) and anti-HBe seroconversion occurred in 7 children (29%). In comparing the first treatment group to retreatment group, ALT level had normalized in 23 children (45%) and anti-HBe seroconversion occurred in 16 children (31%) among the 51 children treated with the first course of IFN treatment. In comparison, ALT normalized and anti-HBe seroconversion occurred in 3 children (25%) among the retreated 12 children. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the therapeutic efficacies between 3 MU/m2 and 6 MU/m2 dose of IFN treated groups in ALT normalization and anti-HBe seroconversion. The retreatment efficacy of IFN-alpha was as effective as the first treatment.
