Viral hepatitis in children
(2012) Concise Pediatric and Adolescent Hepatology — ISBN: [978-3-8055-9829-3], p. 149–163, published
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- Abstract
- Infections due to hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are the most common causes of chronic hepatitis due to infection around the world, which could lead on to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Over the last 20 years, introduction of universal vaccination and routine screening of donated blood for hepatitis B and C have significantly reduced the risk of transmission, with a parallel decrease in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis B. Without prophylaxis, infants exposed to hepatitis B have a risk of about 90% to develop chronic infection, while patients infected as adults have a risk of 2-10%. The treatment of chronic hepatitis B should be assessed case by case, depending on viral load, biochemical parameters and inflammation within the liver. Infections due to hepatitis C virus occur most often without symptoms and most patients will progress to chronicity. The genotype of hepatitis C can predict the response to treatment. A liver biopsy can assess the degree of hepatocellular damage due to hepatitis C. The effectiveness of newer drugs proposed in adults with chronic hepatitis B and C, needs proper evaluation in children, before they could be recommended for paediatric use
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Stéphenne, X., & Sokal, E. (2012). Viral hepatitis in children. In Anil Dhawan (ed.), Concise Pediatric and Adolescent Hepatology (p. p. 149–163). Karger. https://doi.org/10.1159/000332122