HOW DOES HCV AFFECT CHILDREN?
Children with chronic hepatitis cannot be treated simply like miniature adults. Specific issues and questions need to be addressed when dealing with the pediatric age group. Pediatric patients are less likely than adults to have symptoms of infection with hepatitis C, leaving the viruses undetected and possibly unknowingly spread. According to information available on the natural history of HCV, the percentage of children who become chronic and the long-term outcomes are similar to the percentage of adults. Children who are chronic carriers of HCV have normal growth patterns. Liver biopsy appears to be less valuable in children than adults. Chronic hepatitis rarely progresses to cirrhosis in children. In 16 HCV children followed for up to 14 years, encephalopathy (mental confusion), ascites (swollen stomach), or bleeding did not develop. The lack of cirrhosis in children with HCV is consistent that a time period of 10 to 20 years or more is required for cirrhosis to occur. Hepatocellul
