Clinical and laboratory profiles of hepatitis C in hemophiliac children

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common inhemophiliac receiving multiple coagulation factor transfusionsbefore the introduction of donor screening and viral inactivationtechniques. Information on the clinical profiles of HCV infectionin children is still limited.Objective To describe clinical and laboratory profiles of HCVinfection in hemophiliac children.Methods Patients registered at the Hemophilia Society ofDepartment of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital,who had positive anti-HCV were enrolled. None of them receivedantiviral treatment. All subjects infected by HCV before the ageof 18 years and at least had positive anti-HCV test result for 6months underwent clinical examination, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), platelets, and HCV RNA tests.Results Thirty nine subjects were available for review, with themedian age of 15 years, and the mean age of the first time gettingtransfusion was 15 months. Twenty two (56%) of 39 subjectsshowed clinical manifestations. Liver and spleen enlargement werenot found in any of the subjects. Ten (26%) subjects showedelevated ALT. Platelet count was within normal limit in allsubjects. Twenty four (61%) patients had chronic hepatitis,whereas the remaining 15 (39%) subjects spontaneously clearedfrom HCV.Conclusions Pediatric HCV infection showed mild clinicalmanifestations. Sixty one percent subjects developed chronichepatitis. The abnormality of laboratory finding may be associatedwith the future chronic liver disease.