Published online Feb 21, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i7.2073
Peer-review started: July 17, 2014
First decision: August 6, 2014
Revised: September 3, 2014
Accepted: October 14, 2014
Article in press: October 15, 2014
Published online: February 21, 2015
Processing time: 214 Days and 18 Hours
AIM: To evaluate the outcome of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in children with or without malignancies.
METHODS: Twenty four children (15 boys and 9 girls) with malignancies, followed up by the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic for CHB between January 2000 and December 2013, were enrolled in the study (Group 1). Group 2 was formed with twenty five children (11 girls and 14 boys) diagnosed with CHB without malignancies. The data from the patients’ records were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/antiHBe seroconversion was observed in 3 patients (12.5%) in group 1 and 15 patients (60%) in group 2, with annual seroconversion rates of 1.61% and 16.6%, respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.01). One patient (6.6%) in Group 1 and 9 patients (53%) in Group 2 showed HBeAg/antiHBe seroconversion after treatment and the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.06) Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen was observed in one patient in each of group 1 and 2. No clinical, laboratory and imaging findings of liver disease were observed in any of the patients at the end of the study.
CONCLUSION: HBeAg/antiHBe seroconversion rate was lower in patients who had recovered from cancer.
Core tip: Children with hematological cancers have a high risk for hepatitis B virus infection due to immunosuppression secondary to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and multiple blood transfusions. Although there are some studies in the literature addressing the course of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), few studies were conducted on patients with CHB who have been treated for cancer. The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the course of CHB in a cohort consisting of Turkish children with CHB who had received pediatric cancer therapy and compare the results with children diagnosed with CHB who do not have cancer.