Hepatic Histology in Treatment-naïve Children With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Living in the United States and Canada

A Current Management Strategy for Children with Chronic Viral Hepatitis B, Based on International and National Guidelines

BACKGROUND

Peculiarities of the course of chronic viral hepatitis B in children cause an important medical and social problem of health care, despite the implementation of modern treatment and prevention protocols. Pathogenetic mechanisms of the development and progression of viral hepatitis B infection, the presence of occult poorly diagnosed form, the impossibility of completely eliminating the virus and the specificity of the immune response in children are still not fully solved scientific problems.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The aim of this review is to examine current strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children, based on international and national guidelines.

RESULTS

A detailed analysis of modern guidelines on the course and pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B infection confirms the fact that chronic hepatitis B is characterised by a complex interaction between the immune system of the virus and the patient, whose dynamic balance is not only responsible for the various phases of chronic viral hepatitis B infection but also leads to the result of antiviral treatment.

CONCLUSION

Despite the introduction of vaccination of children against hepatitis B, the level of viral hepatitis B vaccination of children in Ukraine remains insufficient, which leads to the further spread of the infection. Currently available antiviral drugs can provide functional treatment of viral hepatitis B infection in a limited number of patients, but today's Ukrainian realities have caused a change in approach to the treatment and monitoring of patients, which may negatively affect the implementation of the key goals of the World Health Organization Global Strategy on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.

Liver fibrosis in children: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, diagnosis, and therapy

Chronic liver disease incidence is increasing among children worldwide due to a multitude of epidemiological changes. Most of these chronic insults to the pediatric liver progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis to different degrees. Liver and immune physiology differs significantly in children from adults. Because most of pediatric liver diseases have no definitive therapy, a better understanding of population and disease-specific fibrogenesis is mandatory. Furthermore, fibrosis development has prognostic significance and often guide treatment. Evaluation of liver fibrosis continues to rely on the gold-standard liver biopsy. However, many high-quality studies put forward the high diagnostic accuracy of numerous diagnostic modalities in this setting. Herein, we summarize and discuss the recent literature on fibrogenesis with an emphasis on pediatric physiology along with a detailed outline of disease-specific signatures, noninvasive diagnostic modalities, and the potential for antifibrotic therapies.

Hepatitis B and C in Pregnancy and Children: A Canadian Perspective

In 2016, the World Health Organization released a plan to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. For Canada to achieve the recommended decreases in HBV- and HCV-related new diagnoses and deaths, an increase in services is urgently required. Identifying those at risk of, or who have acquired HBV and HCV, remains a challenge, especially with the emergence of new priority populations such as pregnant persons and children. Importantly, prenatal, and pediatric care are times when individuals are often already engaged with the healthcare system, leading to the potential for opportunistic or co-localized care and interventions. At present, Canada may not be maximizing all available virologic tools that could lead to increases in prevention, identification, improved management, or even cure. Here, we describe the continuum of care that includes preconception, prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric stages; and identify current global and Canadian recommendations, findings, and opportunities for improvement.

Liver Histology of Treatment-Naïve Children with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Shanghai China

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate associations between hepatic histology and clinical characteristics in treatment-naïve children with CHB in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

The liver biopsy specimens of 278 treatment-naïve children with CHB virus infection were scored for inflammation and fibrosis, and correlations with clinical and laboratory data were determined.

RESULTS

CHB clinical, virologic and pathologic features were studied in 278 treatment-naïve children (177 males (63.7%)) from Shanghai, China. Maternal sera were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive for 277 children. At biopsy, 87.4% of patients were hepatitis B e antigen positive. The median age at biopsy was 5.1 years (interquartile range 2.8-8.4 years). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were generally high (mean 7.4 log₁₀ IU/ml), as were levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT, median 105 U/L). Using the Metavir histology activity index scoring system, no, mild, moderate and severe inflammation was seen in 2.9%, 22.3%, 73.4%, and 1.4% of patients, respectively. No fibrosis, mild fibrosis, moderate fibrosis, and cirrhosis was seen in 11.5%, 32.7%, 47.5%, and 8.3% of patients, respectively. When the serum ALT level was ≤80 (2× the upper limit of normal) and >80 U/L, the inflammation score (P<0.0001) was significantly different. And the fibrosis score was significantly different (P<0.0001), either. Inflammation and fibrosis were aggravated with increasing ALT levels. Fibrosis scores were significantly higher in children aged ≤3 than aged >3 years (P<0.0001). The rates of moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis were higher in children aged ≤3 years at biopsy. No correlations were found between histologic changes and sex, HBV genotype or HBV DNA level.

CONCLUSION

Substantial heterogeneity in inflammatory and fibrotic levels was observed in treatment-naïve children with CHB in Shanghai, China. Serum ALT levels >80 U/L may be a strong indicator of the degree of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis severity. Moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis can appear in children aged <3 years or younger.

Chronic Hepatitis Is Common and Often Untreated Among Children with Hepatitis B Infection in the United States and Canada

OBJECTIVE

To determine the outcomes of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a large, prospectively studied cohort of children in the US and Canada.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, observational study of children with chronic HBV enrolled in 7 clinical centers and evaluated at baseline, weeks 24 and 48, and annually thereafter, with analysis of demographic, clinical, physical examination, and blood test data.

RESULTS

Among 362 children followed for a median of 4.2 years, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (>1 upper limit of normal) were present in 72% at last evaluation, including in 60% of children with loss of hepatitis B e antigen during follow-up and 70% of those who were hepatitis B e antigen negative at baseline. Significant ALT flares (male patients ≥400 U/L, female patients ≥350 U/L) occurred in 13 children. Of 129 children who fulfilled the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases treatment criteria during follow-up, anti-HBV treatment was initiated in only 25. One child died (unrelated to liver disease), 1 developed cirrhosis, but no episodes of cirrhotic decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma were observed. Decline in platelet count was inversely associated with ALT elevations.

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of children with chronic HBV infection in the US and Canada, many children remained at risk of progressive liver disease due to active hepatitis, but major clinical outcomes such as cirrhosis, cancer, and death were rare. Many children who met criteria for treatment remained untreated.