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World J Hepatol. Apr 27, 2026; 18(4): 116657
Published online Apr 27, 2026. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v18.i4.116657
Published online Apr 27, 2026. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v18.i4.116657
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in infants and young children: A systematic review
Simona Carrera, Chiara Rubino, Elisa Bartolini, Giuseppe Indolfi, Pediatric and Liver Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence 50139, Tuscany, Italy
Giuseppe Indolfi, Department of Neurofarba, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Tuscany, Italy
Author contributions: Indolfi G and Carrera S wrote the paper; Rubino C and Bartolini E reviewed it critically for significant intellectual content.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Simona Carrera, MD, Pediatric and Liver Unit, Meyer Children’s Hos
Received: November 19, 2025
Revised: January 7, 2026
Accepted: February 3, 2026
Published online: April 27, 2026
Processing time: 155 Days and 15.3 Hours
Revised: January 7, 2026
Accepted: February 3, 2026
Published online: April 27, 2026
Processing time: 155 Days and 15.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Chronic hepatitis B is a major global health issue, largely driven by mother-to-child transmission. Spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance occurs at about 1% per year. Emerging evidence suggests that starting antiviral therapy at a young age might lead to higher functional cure rates. This review examines evidence and implications of early treatment.