Author/Editor		Zakotnik, Breda; Čižman, Milan
Title		Viral hepatitis in childhood
Type		članek
Source		In: Ferlan-Marolt V, Luzar B, editors. Viral hepatitis. Proceedings of the 35th memorial meeting to professor Janez Plečnik with international participation; 2004 Dec 2-3; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Faculty of medicine, Institute of pathology,
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 119-26
Language		eng
Abstract		Hepatitis viruses are important cause of liver disease in childhood. Improved sanitary-hygienic measures and prophylaxis with immunoglobuline were the principal means for diminishing incidence of hepatitis A infection. Effective vaccines are recommended for preventing hepatitis A in high-risk groups of children. Acute infections due to hepatitis B and C viruses are rare in children but chronic asymptomatic infection, carrying with it a significant risk of chronic liver disease, is concerning. Treatment options for hepatitis B infection in children include interferon-alpha, lamivudine or combination of both, and for hepatitis C infection a combination of interferon-alpha and ribavirin. Perinatal transmission is the main source of infection with hepatitis B and C viruses in childhood. Antenatal screening and passive and active immunization of newborns is a successful preventive measure against hepatitis B virus infection. Serologic testing of pregnant women who have risk factors for hepatitis C infection and tracking children of infected mothers are recommended for early detection of children infected with hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis D, E, G viruses are rare causes of hepatic inflammation in childhood.
Descriptors		HEPATITIS, VIRAL, HUMAN HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS C HEPATITIS B VACCINES CHILD INTERFERON-ALPHA LAMIVUDINE RIBAVIRIN