Combination Therapy of Lamivudine and Interferon-Alpha in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B in Bangladesh: A Safe and Effective Therapeutic Approach for Pediatric CHB Patients in Developing Countries

• Published in: International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology 2010-04, Vol.23 (2), p.659-664
• Main Authors: Al-Mahtab, M., Rahman, S., Akbar, S.M., Khan, S.I., Uddin, H., Karim, M.F., Ahmed, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Antiviral Agents - administration & dosage; Bangladesh; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA, Viral - blood; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis B e Antigens - blood; Hepatitis B, Chronic - drug therapy; Humans; Interferon-alpha - administration & dosage; Interferon-alpha - adverse effects; Lamivudine - administration & dosage; Lamivudine - adverse effects; Male
• ISSN: 0394-6320; 2058-7384
• DOI: 10.1177/039463201002300231

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is mainly transmitted during birth or perinatal period, however, treatment is not usually recommended for pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Twelve pediatric patients with CHB in Bangladesh were treated with both lamivudine and interferon. Lamivudine was given at a dose of 3 mg/kg, daily for 12 months. Two months after commencement of lamivudine therapy, all patents were given interferon-α (3 million IU/square meter of body surface area) three times weekly, subcutaneously for 10 months. Combination therapy was safe for all pediatric CHB patients. The levels of serum HBV DNA became undetectable (