Calzado AMA, Pereda PA, Gómez-Ruiz MD, Córdoba CJ, Asensi BF

Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 107-111
PDF size: 66.42 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Justification: Hepatitis C is an important public health problem due to its high prevalence and long-term consequences. Early diagnosis is necessary for suitable assistance, follow-up and illness control. Material and methods: Descriptive and retrospective study of 41 patients diagnosed from 1990 to 2004 controlled in Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases outpatient departments. Results: Since 1990, vertical transmission was evident in 35 children (85.3%) and horizontal transmission in 6 children (14.7%). In the first group there were 21 children (60%) from HIV coinfected mothers, 12 of whom (34.2%) seroreverted. Drug addiction was found in 21 mothers (60%), 17 of them (80.9%) HIV coinfected. Ten children (28.5%) were born by cesarean section, without differences in their subsequent evolution. In December 2005, RNA was not detected in 7 children (20%). All the HIV coinfected patients remain RNA positive. Viral genotyping was carried out in 21 children (51.2%). Genotype 1 was found in 15 cases (71.4%), genotype 3 in 3 (14.2%) and genotype 4 in 3 (14.2%). Biopsy was carried out in 17 patients (41.4%). According to the Knodell index, minimal inflammation was found in 13 cases (76.4%), slight inflammation in 4 cases (23.5%) and severe affectation in 2 children (11.7%). Three patients received treatment with interferon, although in 2 children was withdrawn due to autoimmunity problems and the other one suffered a relapse. Seven children (17%) had normal hepatic function; slight malfunction was seen in 32 patients (78%) and 2 children (4.9%) died. Since 1997 to 2004, there were 42,608 deliveries; 65 of them were mothers with VIH + VHC and 272 with VHC. VHC vertical transmission was found in 5.8% of the first group and in 2.9% of the second one. Conclusions: Children of HVC and HIV coinfected mothers have an important risk of being infected by HCV; overall, if mothers are drug addicted. HCV infection does not induce severe illness in childhood. RNA VHC is always detected in all HIV coinfected children, probably because of immunity disorders.

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