PERINATOLOGIYA I PEDIATRIYA.2015.4(64):86-90; doi 10.15574/PP.2015.64.86 
 

Features of liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B 
 

Berezenko V. S., Tsariova O. V.

SI «Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology of NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv

Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine 
 

Purpose — to study the characteristics of liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B by direct and indirect markers of fibrosis depending on the strain of the virus, viral load and duration of hepatitis. 
 

Patients and methods. The study included 51 children with chronic hepatitis B at the age of 3–18 years. All patients were involved in clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination. Liver fibrosis was assessed by the index APRI, the level of hyaluronic acid in serum and the transforming growth factor β₁ using the method of IFA. 
 

Results. Chronic hepatitis B in children is characterized by the significant increase in concentration of hyaluronic acid, the transforming growth factor β₁ and index APRI in the serum of patients, in comparison with a group of healthy children. The severity of liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B was more significant in children with active hepatitis. The reins a direct correlation between the markers of fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B and its activity. With the increase in the duration of disease for over 10 years, the progression of fibrosis increased (index APRI). 
 

Conclusions. Chronic hepatitis B in children is characterized by active fibrogenesis, as it is shown by the significant increase in concentration of hyaluronic acid, the transforming growth factor β₁ and index APRI in the serum of patients, in comparison with a group of healthy children. Active hepatitis and duration of the disease, according to our information, are the factors that contribute to the formation and progression of liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B. 
 

Key words: chronic viral hepatitis B, children, liver fibrosis, hyaluronic acid, transforming growth factor β₁, index APRI. 
 

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