Ushering a New Era in the Management of Hepatitis C in Children with Hematological Disorders

Abstract

Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C is a major concern among thalassemia patients. Our aim is to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection among thalassemia patients and to assess the treatment response, adverse effects of Peg-interferon based regimen and the new direct-acting antiviral drugs. Patients with thalassemia receiving regular blood transfusions with positive anti HCV antibodies during a period from January 2012 to June 2017 were analyzed. Serial HCV viral load and genotype and liver function tests were performed. Peg interferon and Ribavirin were used in patients diagnosed before January 2016 and patients diagnosed after January 2016 were started on the combination of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir. Thirty-two patients aged between 2 and 28 years were analyzed. Genotype 1 was the predominant type. Twenty-one patients were initiated on Peg Interferon with Ribavirin, and 14 achieved sustained virological response. All of them had increased blood transfusion requirements with significant compliance issues. All eleven patients started on Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir including 4 undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and 7 interferon failures showed sustained viral clearance with good compliance. Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir combination can be safely used in thalassemia patients and in young children. The cost of therapy is less compared to peg interferon based regimen with good compliance and superior efficacy.