Chronic hepatitis C in children: A clinical and immunohistochemical comparative study with adult patients

Limited information is available regarding the characteristics of the hepat itis C virus (HCV) infection in children. We compared the epidemiological b ackground along with the virological and histological features as well as t he intrahepatic immunologic phenotype of both children and adults with chro nic hepatitis C (CHC). Serum samples of 24 pediatric and 32 adult patients were drawn for alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, HCV-typing, and viral loa d. The histological diagnosis and a semiquantitative immunohistochemical as sessment were performed in all patients. The majority of children (62%) had been transfused and the mean duration of viral infection in these cases wa s 11 +/- 4 years, being similar in adults (11 +/- 9 years, not significant) . Although genotype distribution was similar, viral load was lower in child ren than in adults. The mildest histological forms of chronic hepatitis alo ng with a weak intrahepatic immunological phenotype were significantly more frequent among children than adult patients. In conclusion, in children wi th CHC, perinatal blood transfusion was the most frequent source of viral i nfection and the liver disease was characterized by both low ALT level and viral load, as well as the mildest histological and immunohistochemical for ms of chronic hepatitis.