Of the total children, 90 (71.4%) were treated, whereas the remaining were just followed-up. High-dose interferon (IFN)-α (10 MU/m2) alone, standarddose IFN-α (6 MU/m2) plus lamivudine (4 mg/kg/d), high-dose IFN-α plus lamivudine, or lamivudine alone was used, IFN-α thrice weekly for six months, and lamivudine daily for one year. Of children who had completed their treatment, 34 (37.8%) achieved ETR. Sustained response rate was 36.7%. Response rates were different in the different treatment groups (p: 0.01). The highest response rate was observed in those who received standard-dose IFN-α plus lamivudine treatment (61.5%). Of children without treatment, one (2.8%) had anti-HBe seroconversion.
Standard-dose IFN-α plus lamivudine treatment was found superior to the other treatment modalities. Predictors of ETR were similar to those found in previous studies.
Keywords : chronic hepatitis B, treatment, children.