| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 2 | Page : 96-100 |
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Hepatitis C virus infection in children and adolescents: A recent update
Khan Lamia Nahid, M Rukunuzzaman, M Wahiduzzaman Mazumder, Fahmida Begum, Rubaiyat Alam
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Khan Lamia Nahid
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka,
Bangladesh
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/pnjb.pnjb_25_21
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an emerging problem for children and adolescents. The estimated 3.5–5 million children have chronic HCV infection globally. Early detection of HCV infection and early administration of appropriate treatment in childhood are necessary to prevent decompensated liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma as in adults. Perinatal transmission is the most common route of HCV infection in children. An antibody-based test (anti-HCV) should be done in children at or after 18 months of age to detect HCV infection. Children who are anti-HCV-positive after 18 months of age should be further confirmed with an HCV-RNA assay after age 3 to recognize chronic hepatitis C infection. These patients should be further tested to determine the genotype. Children who are anti-HCV- and HCV-RNA-positive need to be treated with direct-acting antiviral. The purpose of the article is to discuss epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis, and management of HCV infection in children and adolescents. |
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