Chronic viral hepatitis B in children and adolescents: a modern view of the problem

The social and medical significance of chronic hepatitis B is conditioned by a high prevalence of this infection, the impossibility of eliminating the virus from the liver tissue and the presence of an occult poorly diagnosed form of infection leading to formidable liver damage such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma over time.Objective. To review the current state of chronic hepatitis B in children and adolescents.Results. The study presents the structure of hepatitis B virus (HBV), infection paths, the pathogenesis of the disease, its course, modern therapy approaches, including indications for treatment and management features of patients with chronic HBV infection.Conclusion. Despite the widespread vaccination of children against hepatitis B, the problem remains relevant. There are significant difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment, although the direct antiviral drugs for children and adolescents are a significant breakthrough in the fight against this infection