Outcomes of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Children: A 20-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of the present study was to evaluate seroconversion rates in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and determine the factors influencing the natural course of liver diseases. MATERIAL and METHODS A total of 458 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients aged 0.75-17 years were tested for hepatitis markers, liver function tests, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels at baseline and periodically at every 3 months following recruitment. Patients with CHB (n=321) were divided into two groups: treated and untreated patients. The seroconversion rates between the two groups were compared, and their relationship with age, sex, vaccination status, coinfections, aminotransferases, HBV DNA levels, and cirrhosis was determined. RESULTS Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rates were 30 in 97 patients 30/97 (30.9%) in untreated patients and 67/147 (45.5%) in treated patients (p=0.023). HBsAg seroconversion rates were 10/174 (5.7%) in untreated patients and 16/147 (10.8%) in treated patients (p=0.10). No significant difference was observed in HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion times between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION In our study, although the HBeAg seroconversion rate was significantly higher in treated patients than in untreated patients, the HBsAg seroconversion rate was not different between the groups.