Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
1990-5-3
pubmed:abstractText
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of chronic hepatitis B in 27 children who had increased alanine aminotransferase activity and antibody to hepatitis B e antigen in serum from the time of their first clinical observation. Initial histologic changes were consistent with chronic active hepatitis in 13 cases (three with associated cirrhosis) and with persistent or lobular hepatitis in the remaining cases. On the basis of virologic testing, three groups of patients were identified: (1) two children had hepatitis delta antigen in the liver and anti-delta antibody in serum, and both had severe hepatitis; (2) 10 children had hepatitis B virus DNA in serum, and 60% of them had active hepatitis; (3) 15 patients had no hepatitis B virus DNA, and 33% of them had active hepatitis. During a follow-up period of 12 months to 12 years (mean +/- SD: 6.1 +/- 2.4 years), the disease remained active in both children with anti-delta antibody, but they had no major complaints. In all eight patients who could be followed in group 2, test results became negative for hepatitis B virus DNA and alanine aminotransferase activity normalized within 4 years; biochemical remission was delayed in three patients with higher hepatitis B virus DNA levels on entry, and one of these patients had a severe exacerbation of disease activity before remission. In group 3, a total of 10 patients (71%) achieved biochemical remission within 1 year, and two within 26 months; only two patients, who were transfused at birth, had long-lasting liver damage. These results indicate a trend to early remission of liver disease in children with chronic hepatitis B with antibody to hepatitis B e antigen without delta virus infection. Antiviral therapy aimed at accelerating the termination of hepatitis B virus replication may be indicated only in those with higher levels of hepatitis B virus DNA.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Apr
pubmed:issn
0022-3476
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
116
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
552-5
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-4-13
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Adolescent, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Alanine Transaminase, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Antigens, Viral, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Child, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Child, Preschool, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Chronic Disease, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-DNA, Viral, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Female, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Follow-Up Studies, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Hepatitis Antibodies, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Hepatitis B, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Hepatitis B Antibodies, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Hepatitis B e Antigens, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Hepatitis B virus, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Hepatitis Delta Virus, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Infant, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Liver Cirrhosis, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Male, pubmed-meshheading:2319401-Prognosis
pubmed:year
1990
pubmed:articleTitle
Long-term evolution of chronic hepatitis B in children with antibody to hepatitis B e antigen.
pubmed:affiliation
Clinica Medica 2, Padua, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article