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Review
. 2024 Feb 16;13(2):180.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens13020180.

Updated Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Hepatitis C Infection in Children

Chaowapong Jarasvaraparn  1 , Christopher Hartley  2 , Wikrom Karnsakul  3
Affiliations
Review

Updated Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Hepatitis C Infection in Children

Chaowapong Jarasvaraparn et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

Children represent only a small proportion of those infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to adults. Nevertheless, a substantial number of children have chronic HCV infection and are at risk of complications including cirrhosis, portal hypertension, hepatic decompensation with hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma in adulthood. The overall prevalence of the HCV in children was estimated to be 0.87% worldwide. The HCV spreads through the blood. Children born to women with chronic hepatitis C should be evaluated and tested for HCV due to the known risk of infection. The course of treatment for hepatitis C depends on the type of HCV. Currently, there are two pan-genotype HCV treatments (Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) for children. We aim to review the updated clinical guidelines on the management of HCV infection in children, including screening, diagnosis, and long-term monitoring, as well as currently published clinical trials and ongoing research on direct acting antiviral hepatitis C treatment in children.

Keywords: DAAs; NAT; SVR12; direct-acting antivirals; hepatitis C virus (HCV); nucleic acid test; sustained virological response at 12 weeks after treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagnosis of HCV infection in perinatally HCV-exposed infants [24].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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