Hepatitis C children



==Recommendations for Diagnosis and Treatment of HCV-Infected Children: AASLD Practice Guidelines 2009 == 1. The diagnosis and testing of children suspected of being infected with HCV should proceed as for adults (Class I, Level B).

2. Routine testing for anti-HCV at birth of children born to HCV-infected mothers is not recommended because of the high rate of positive antibody due to passive transfer from the mother. Testing for anti-HCV may be performed at 18 months of age or older (Class I, Level B).

3. Testing for HCV RNA may be considered at 1-2 months of age in infants born to HCV-infected mothers if early diagnosis is desired (Class II, Level B).

4. Children aged 2-17 years who are infected with HCV should be considered appropriate candidates for treatment using the same criteria as that used for adults. (Class IIa, Level B).

5. Children should be treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b, 60 μg/m2 weekly in combination with ribavirin, 15 mg/kg daily for a duration of 48 weeks (Class 1, Level B).