An update on the strategies used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in children shows a variety of clinical presentations, which
influence its natural course and treatment options. This report provides an overview of
the ongoing strategies in pediatric CHB management. Interferon-represents the first
choice of treatment in children showing HBV replication and hepatic inflammation
(immune active CHB), while the recommendation is to monitor inactive/immunetolerant
children (normal transaminases and low/absent viral replication). When
circumstances preclude the use of Interferon-and in cases of
compensated/decompensated cirrhosis, entecavir for children above 2 years of age or
tenofovir for children above 12 years of age are the nucleos(t)ide analogues
recommended by the most recent guidelines.