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Natural history and treatment of hepatitis C infection in children
Author(s) -
HARDIKAR WINITA
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2004.03644.x
Subject(s) - medicine , natural history , hepatocellular carcinoma , cirrhosis , chronic infection , hepatitis c , chronic hepatitis , pediatrics , hepatitis , intensive care medicine , immunology , virus , immune system
Pediatric hepatitis C is a chronic infection in the majority of children and hence confers a lifetime risk of development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, potentially with a younger age of onset. Several recent studies have examined the natural history of HCV infection in children and although fibrosis is seen frequently, the majority of patients remain clinically well over three or more decades. Therapeutic options in children have not been studied fully but may play a role in certain patients. Well conducted, sufficiently powered studies are desperately needed to provide data on which sound therapeutic judgements can be made.