Abstract

To study the therapeutic effect of ribavirin, a broad spectrum antiviral agent, for chronic hepatitis B in pediatric patients, 24 patients who were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B (elevated SGOT and SGPT and positive HBsAg and HBeAg for more than 6 months) at the pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital from Mar. 1, 1985 to Sep. 30, 1986 were randomly divided into two groups. Ribavirin was administered to 11 patients in dose of 15mg/kg/day and 13 patients were control group and both groups were followed for 12 months. Serum HBsAg and HBeAg were measured with RIA (Ausria-II and Abbott-HBe, respectively) and compared in P/N ratio (counts per minute of patient's sample/counts per minute of normal serum). There were no statistically significant reductions in P/N ratios of HBsAg and HBeAg in both groups between prior to the therapy and 12 months follow-up period. It seems that ribavirin does not have the therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B in children. Also, there were no noticeable side effects from ribavirin therapy.