Interferon-α and ribavirin treatment of hepatitis C in children with malignancy in remission

Twenty-eight cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were identified in children in a pediatric oncology ward during 2 nosocomial outbreaks. HCV infection spontaneously cleared in 6 patients (21%). Eleven patients with persistent HCV viremia who had malignant diseases in remission after treatment were given a 48-week course of combined therapy with interferon-alpha! (5 x 10(6) U 3 times weekly) and oral ribavirin (15 mg/kg/d), Seven (64%) of the 11 patients had sustained virological responses 6 and 12 months after cessation of therapy. Side effects were common but generally were mild or moderate.