Abstract

LOPEZ, Carmen Esther  and  GONZALEZ, Ileana. Impacto de la disminución de la carga viral en el tratamiento de la hepatitis B en pacientes pediátricos. Gen [online]. 2008, vol.62, n.4, pp.278-281. ISSN 0016-3503.

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of treatment for Hepatitis B with Lamivudine as monotherapy for 6 months followed with conventional or pegylated interferon therapy for another 6 months, and compare whether there are differences between the two treatment modalities. Materials and methods: 15 patients with chronic Hepatitis B were included. 8 / 15 received conventional interferon and lamivudine and 7 / 15 received lamivudine + pegylated interferon. ADNHBV was performed at 6 months of treatment (before starting treatment with interferon) and 6 months after completion. Results: 15 patients with ages between 2 and 15 years were included. There was not statistically significanse when comparing the age and gender between the groups. Aminotransferases pretreatment and postreatment varied significantly. There was no significant variation between both groups in regard to ADNVHB negativization during and after treatment. 12/15 had ADNVHB and eAgHB negativization; 3 / 12 were HBsAg positive. Conclusion: the decrease in viral load with lamivudine improves the response to treatment with interferon in pediatric patients.

Keywords : Hepatitis B in children; interferon; lamivudine; treatment.