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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2013; 19(44): 7880-7888
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.7880
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.7880
Burden of pediatric hepatitis C
Mortada Hassan El-Shabrawi, Naglaa Mohamed Kamal, Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12411, Egypt
Author contributions: El-Shabrawi MH suggested the idea of the work; both authors shared in manuscript preparation, had made an important scientific contribution to the paper and had assisted with the drafting and revising of the manuscript, in accordance with the definition of an author as stated by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.
Correspondence to: Mortada Hassan El-Shabrawi, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, 3 Nablos Street, Off Shehab Street, Mohandesseen, Giza 12411, Egypt. melshabrawi@medicine.cu.edu.eg
Telephone: +20-1-223133705 Fax: +20-2-37619012
Received: August 20, 2013
Revised: October 19, 2013
Accepted: November 2, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Processing time: 113 Days and 14 Hours
Revised: October 19, 2013
Accepted: November 2, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Processing time: 113 Days and 14 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide health burden infecting up to 5.8% of children in some developing countries with thousands of annual new infections. HCV vaccine is illusive, but understanding immune mechanisms in patients who cleared infection may be crucial. The pediatric standard of care treatment is pegylated interferon-α2 plus ribavirin for 24-48 wk. The new oral direct acting antivirals need further evaluation in children. Interleukin-28B polymorphisms have been associated with treatment response and spontaneous clearance of vertical HCV infection. The worldwide economic burden of HCV is estimated to be hundreds of millions United States dollars/year. The emotional burden is difficult to estimate.