Interferon alpha (IFN) is the most common treatment in chronic hepatitis B in children. Its impact on the development of children is still discussed.
Aim of this study: The assessment of body mass and body height of children after interferon therapy and the influence of chronic HBV infection on these parameters.
Materials and methods: The study concerned 64 children who suffered chronic hepatitis B. Among them 36 boys and 12 girls were treated with interferon alpha and 18 boys and 4 girls not treated. They were compared with a control group (416 boys and 457 girls). Scatter plots and chi-square test were used in analysis.
Results: Treated and not treated children were found in 3 distinguish zones: middle zone M+/- 1/2 SD, above and below it. Body mass: in the middle zone about 30% boys and 25% girls were found. In the high zone 20% boys and 40% girls. In low zone 45% boys and 30% girls. Body height: in the middle zone there were 30% boys as well as 40% girls. In high zone 35% boys and 30% girls. In low zone 30% boys and 25% girls were found. The comparison of frequency of treated and not treated children represented in the three zones was not statistically significant. Among sick children (treated and not treated together) about 60% boys and about 43% girls were characterized by lower weight than arithmetic mean of a population study. According to height about 40% boys and about 37% girls were found to be under mean of control group.
Conclusions: 1. Interferon alpha can be used in chronic hepatitis B in children as a drug which does not cause permanent disturbances of body mass and body height 2. Children with chronic hepatitis B infection must be treated early to stop growth retardation.