Hepatitis C in children and adolescents: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Abstract

Hepatitis C infection in children is a worldwide health problem with a significant economic burden. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease during childhood. Most new pediatric cases in the United States and Europe are transmitted vertically from HCV-infected mothers. Antiviral therapy with interferon and ribavirin should be considered in otherwise healthy children to delay disease progression. New diagnostic techniques and antiviral therapies are emerging and may have an impact on our approach to children with HCV infection. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.