Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-03.txt) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/ip_info/view_data.php on line 82

Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/ip_info/view_data.php on line 83
Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B in Children

Korean Journal of Pediatrics 2004;47(3):282-289.
Published online March 15, 2004.
Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B in Children
Yuria Kim, Seoung Yeon Baek, Ji Hyun Eom, Ki Sup Chung
Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
소아의 만성 B형 간염의 자연 경과
김유리아, 백승연, 엄지현, 정기섭
연세대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실
Correspondence: 
Ki Sup Chung, Email: kschung58@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
Abstract
Purpose
: We investigated the spontaneous seroconversion rate of hepatitis B viral markers and predictive factors affecting seroconversion in children with chronic hepatitis B.
Methods
: The study population included 214 children diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B, with positive HBsAg, HBeAg and HBVDNA over six months, and all patients had a family history of chronic Hepatitis B. They were followed between May 1982 and Febrary 2003 in the Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Serum HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs, HBVDNA, and AST/ALT were measured every six months.
Results
: The mean age of patients was 7.4?.5 years. The loss of HBeAg, HBVDNA and HBsAg were observed in 44(19.2%), 34(15.9%) and 3(1.4%) children respectively. The patients with serum ALT levels over three times normal and with HBVDNA less than 1,000 pg/dL showed significantly higher seroconversion rates of HBeAg and HBVDNA(P<0.001). By analyzing with the life table method, the cumulative seroconversion rate of HBeAg was 11% at 10 and 35% at 19 years of age, while HBVDNA was 9% at 10 and 32% at 19 years of age. In cases of HBsAg, the cumulative seroconversion rate was only 1.5% at 19 years of age. The age of patients, serum ALT and HBVDNA levels were proven as signifincant factors influencing the seroconversion of HBeAg and HBVDNA(P<0.001).
Conclusion
: In children with chronic hepatitis B, the seroconversion rate of HBeAg and HBVDNA are expected to be 35% and 32%, respectively, by the age of 19 years. The age of patients, serum ALT and HBVDNA levels seem to have significant influence on HBeAg and HBVDNA seroconversion.
Key Words: Chronic hepatitis B, Children, Natural history, Spontaneous seroconversion rate, Hepatitis B antigens, Hepatitis B antibodies


METRICS Graph View
  • 2,533 View
  • 24 Download