All issues > Volume 43(4); 2000

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2000;43(4):514-519. Published online April 15, 2000.

Factors Predictive of Response to Interferon-α Therapy in Children with Chronic Hepatitis B

Hong Kwon HK Kim¹, Bo Hwa BH Choi¹, Kyung Mo KM Kim¹, Kyung Hoon KH Kang², In Seok IS Lim³, Eung Sang ES Choi³

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
³Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chung Ang University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: The efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha(IFN-α) therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) is similar to that of adults. However, little information is available about the predictive factors of response to this therapy in children. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors for responsiveness to IFN-α therapy in children with CHB.
Methods
: The basal parameters were studied in 35 children with CHB treated with IFN-α(300 MU/m2 of body surface area subcutaneously, 3 times weekly for 6 months). HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, HBV DNA and aminotransferase levels were assessed serially. Pretreatment liver biopsies were performed in 16 patients and modified histologic activity index(HAI) was determined respectively. Responder was defined as disappearance of HBeAg and HBV-DNA after cessation of therapy. We analyzed the predictive factors of response to IFN-α therapy.
Results
: Serum HBeAg and HBV DNA became negative in 16 children(46%) among 35 treated children at the time of cessation of therapy. In the univariate analysis, HAI, ALT level and maternal HBsAg were associated with the response. In multivariate analysis, HAI was the best factor for predicting response(sensitivity : 80% and specificity : 100%).
Conclusion
: Factors predictive of response in children with CHB are similar to those reported in adult, and may help identify those children with a better chance of responding.

Keywords :Interferon-alpha, Child, Hepatitis B, Predictive value