A modern view on the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children and adolescents

The purpose of the article is a summary overview of approaches to the treatment of infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in children and adolescents. The article is devoted to issues affecting indications, contraindications and optimal treatment regimens in children and adolescents with chronic HCV infection.All over the world, 13.2 (11.5–21.2) million children aged 1–15 years have HCV. Chronic HCV infection in children, as a rule, is more lethargic than in adults; extrahepatic manifestations mainly in the form of subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis occur, respectively, in 11 and 5.6% of cases. The risk of developing liver cirrhosis in children with chronic HCV infection ranges from 1 to 4%, while bridging fibrosis and severe liver inflammation are described in approximately 15%. The article discusses the issues of therapy: goals, endpoints, indications, contraindications and the optimal treatment regimen in children with chronic HCV infection. The recommendations made by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists and Nutritionists (ESPGHAN) are provided.Conclusion. Chronic HCV infection in children in general is in a benign form, but treatment of the disease is required to achieve success in eliminating hepatitis C