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Review
. 2023 Feb;19(2):107-119.
doi: 10.1007/s12519-022-00612-7. Epub 2022 Sep 21.

Treatment of hepatitis C in children and adolescents: how far have we reached?

Vybhav Venkatesh  1 , Keerthivasan Seetharaman  2 , Neha Anushree  3
Affiliations
Review

Treatment of hepatitis C in children and adolescents: how far have we reached?

Vybhav Venkatesh et al. World J Pediatr. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global public health problem and also generates a significant case load in children and adolescents. With the introduction of directly acting antivirals (DAA), the treatment and care of HCV-infected patients have progressed significantly. The available treatment options in children are limited, and this review aims to provide an overview of treatment of HCV infection in children and adolescents with the current available DAA regimens.

Data sources: This comprehensive review was undertaken after searching the PubMed/Medline and Embase databases for the available up-to-date literature on pediatric HCV infection and treatment using hepatitis C virus infection/HCV, directly acting antivirals/DAA, natural history, treatment, pediatrics, children, and adolescents as keywords.

Results: Combination therapies with highly effective DAA regimes, such as sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, sofosbuvir/ribavirin and others, are available for use in children. Most of the DAA regimens have either received or are pending to receive regulatory approval by different medical/drug agencies for use in children and adolescents. Pan-genotypic regimens are also available in children and adolescents, and these regimens can be used while skipping genotype testing.

Conclusion: The literature on different DAA regimens for use in children shows that these regimens have higher cure rates with minimal side effects and shorter duration of therapy.

Keywords: Children; Directly acting antivirals; Hepatitis C.

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