PREVALENCE OF SIDE EFFECTS OF INTERFERON THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS C

Aim: to assess efficacy and safety of interferon therapy in children with chronic viral hepatitis C. Patients and methods: 93 children
aged from 3 to 17 (10,0±0,8 years) years old with chronic viral hepatitis C were included into the study. Among them 65 patients
had hepatitis C viral genotype 1 and 28 — genotype 2/3. All the patients before the beginning of antiviral treatment were performed a routine laboratory and instrumental examination. According to the scheme of antiviral therapy 3 different groups of children were distinguished. Analysis of clinical manifestations, assessment of changes in blood markers and control of body weight and height were carried out. Results: received data showed high prevalence of side effects of recombinant interferon α and even higher — of pegylated interferon α in combination with ribavirin. In a number of cases this required correction of drug dosages. It was also shown that usage of recombinant interleukin 2 with recombinant interferon in treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children significantly decreases prevalence and severity of side effects. This can be explained by the ability of interleukin 2 to levelling of antiproliferative effect of interferon therapy. Conclusions: usage of recombinant interleukin 2 in combination with recombinant interferon α in treatment of chronic hepatitis C significantly decrease prevalence and severity of side effects.

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