Specific Features of Chronic Hepatitis C in Children: Relationship Between Clinical Manifestations and Pathogenic Factors
Study Objectives: To investigate and analyze the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory parameters; to evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral therapy; and to determine the role of allergic factors in immune inflammation, based on the allergy index (ratio of the total percentage of lymphocytes and eosinophils to the total percentage of neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils). Study Design: This was a post-marketing, comparative, prospective study. The study was conducted for 12 months (from January 2011 till January 2012). Materials and Methods: The study included 23 children with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic hepatitis С (СНС). The allocation into groups was performed based on the study parameters (specific epidemiological features and treatment effectiveness). Patients had virological, serological, and biochemical blood tests, liver function tests, liver and spleen ultrasound, hematology, and urinalysis. The treatment period was 6-12 months, and the follow-up period after the end of the antiviral therapy was 3-6 months. Study Results: The study showed a high probability of vertical transmission of СНС (from an infected mother to an infant). The effectiveness assessment of treatment that is directed at the underlying etiology and disease's pathogenesis suggested that the replicative mechanism of СНС is the most prevalent one in children. Conclusion: Treatment of СНС is a serious challenge. This makes improvement of therapeutic methods and introduction of new antiviral regimens very important. More prospective trials are needed to further evaluate the course and prognosis of СНС and to study all the factors that affect the rate of its progression.