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Paediatric hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections: An observational study of a Danish cohort
Author(s) -
Norden Christoph,
Malham Mikkel,
Nordly Sannie,
Grosen Dorthe,
Kvistgaard Helene,
Kjær Mette S.,
Brix Christensen Vibeke
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15403
Subject(s) - medicine , epidemiology , hepatitis b virus , liver disease , liver biopsy , serology , observational study , hepatitis b , pediatrics , immunology , virus , biopsy , antibody
Aim The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics in children with either chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Denmark. Methods In this observational study, children and adolescents with either chronic HBV or HCV infection followed at the largest paediatric departments in Denmark between 2001 and 2013 were included. Data collection included as well epidemiological data as clinical data like virus genotype, viral load, serological markers, liver biochemistry, liver elastography and histology if available. Results The study included 131 children. None of the patients had decreased liver function or end‐stage liver disease during follow‐up. Ten of the 18 children who underwent liver biopsy had signs of fibrosis. Thirteen (11%) children with HBV and one (7%) child with HCV received treatment. Different indications and different treatment regimens were used. Conclusion This study confirms that chronic HBV and HCV infections are often mild diseases during childhood. Nevertheless, children are at higher risk of serious liver disease early in life because of the early time of infection and probably also because of the high viral loads.