ABSTRACT

Background and aim:

Interferon-α and lamivudine are widely used for the primary treatment for chronic hepatitis B with various dosages and durations as monotherapy or combination treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three treatment regimens used for children with chronic hepatitis B in our hospital.

Material and Methods:

In this study 45 children were evaluated prospectively in three random groups. Group I cases (n:15) received interferon-α 10 million m/m2 for six months. Group II cases (n:15) were given interferon-α 5 million m/m2 for six months and lamivudine 3 mg/kg/daily for 12 months simultancously. In the third group (n:15) interferon-α 10 million m/m2 for six months and lamivudine 3 mg/kg/daily for 12 months were also given simultaneously.

Results:

Complete remission, defined as normalization of alanin aminotransferase, seroconversion of HBeAg to anti HBe, loss of HBV DNA were assessed at the end of the therapy and six months after threrapy. At the end of the therapy and six months after the therapy, complete remission was seen in 2 and 3 cases in group I, 5 and 6 cases in group II, and 6 and 7 cases in group III respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in all groups.

Conclusion:

Although it was a small sized study, we conclude that high dose interferon treatment is as effective as combination treatments with lamivudin and high dose or standart dose interferon.