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KMID : 0816120080110020130
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Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterolology and Nutrition
2008 Volume.11 No. 2 p.130 ~ p.136
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Efficacy of Lamivudine Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B in Children
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Lee Eun-Hye
Kim Kyung-Mo
Jang Joo-Young
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Abstract
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Purpose: Lamivudine is known to be effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults. However, data on lamivudine therapy in pediatrics is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and durability of lamivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B in Korean children.
Methods: A total of 44 children (27 males and 17 females, ages 6 months to 14.8 years, mean age 6.7 years) with chronic hepatitis B who received lamivudine (3 mg/kg/day, max 100 mg) for at least 12 months were enrolled. We evaluated the serum AST, ALT and serological HBV markers (HBsAg and anti-HBs, HBeAg and anti HBe, and HBV DNA) periodically. Predictive three year cumulative seroconversion rates were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: Twenty one (48%) of 44 children achieved seroconversion of HBeAg by three years, while 23 (42%) children did not. HBV DNA was cleared in 34 (77%) children and the serum ALT levels were normalized in 41 children (93%). The three year cumulative seroconversion rates were 60% for HBeAg, and the clearance rates were 76% for HBV DNA. Eighteen children who discontinued lamivudine after HBeAg seroconversion maintained the therapeutic response for three years (treatment duration 13∼58 months mean 24 months). Viral breakthrough developed in 12 children (27%) during the therapy and the YMDD mutation was documented in 11 children (25%). The mean duration for the development of a mutation was 22.7 months. Loss of HBsAg occurred in 6 children (14%). The pretreatment ALT levels were higher in responders; however, the differences were not statistically significant (p＞0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lamivudine treatment had a favorable effect and durable therapeutic response in children with chronic hepatitis B. Long term follow-up and alternative therapy are warranted for those patients who do not respond to this treatment.
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KEYWORD
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Chronic hepatitis B, Lamivudine, Seroconversion, Resistance, YMDD mutation
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