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- Title
Spontaneous remission of chronic hepatitis C in children.
- Authors
Fujisawa, T.; Komatsu, H.; Inui, A.; Miyagawa, Y.; Onoue, M.; Sekine, I.; Yokota, S.; Hanada, R.; Yamamoto, K.; Inui, M.
- Abstract
The clinical course of 48 children with chronic hepatitis C (33 boys, 15 girls; mean age: 12.2 years) was monitored for more than 3 years to clarify its natural course. All patients were positive for the second-generation antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and for serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. All but one patient had a history of blood transfusion. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had been abnormal for more than 1.5 years. Spontaneous remission defined as a biochemical remission lasting more than 1 year in association with the disappearance of serum HCV RNA, occurred in 4 (8.3%), however, in 25%, HCV RNA was still detectable in the liver even after its disappearance from serum. In this patient, the level of antibody to HCV core antigen (anti-HCV core) did not decrease significantly and serum HCV RNA eventually reappeared. The serum titre of HCV RNA in the 4 children with spontaneous remission was lower than in the remaining 44 children. Spontaneous remission may occur in children with chronic hepatitis C in whom the serum titre of HCV RNA is low and serum level of anti-HCV core decreases significantly. Assessment of the intrahepatic HCV RNA is necessary to confirm complete remission.Conclusion A low serum titre of HCV RNA and a significant decrease in the serum titre of anti-HCV core were associated with spontaneous remission in children with chronic hepatitis C. Intrahepatic HCV RNA assessment is necessary to confirm complete remission.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C; HEPATITIS in children; HEPATITIS C virus
- Publication
European Journal of Pediatrics, 1997, Vol 156, Issue 10, p773
- ISSN
0340-6199
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s004310050710