Effectiveness of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir in hepatitis C virus infection in children and adolescents with malignancy: tertiary center experience

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the outcome of concomitant treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in children with malignant disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a gastroenterology and hepatology outpatient clinic in a children’s welfare teaching hospital/medical city complex, Baghdad, from January 2018 to October 2020 and included 30 child and adolescent patients who contracted HCV while receiving treatment for malignant diseases. Data collected included those of medical history, physical examination, and periodic clinical and laboratory evaluation during their follow-up. Their age (at the time of diagnosis of HCV) ranged between 3.2 and 15.3 years, the mean age was 8.3 years, with male predominance of 60%. RESULTS: Sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12) was obtained in all patients, 30/30 (100%), with gradual dramatic improvements of the liver enzymes, TSB, serum creatinine, and serum albumin. No serious side effects were registered, nor was there any treatment discontinuation or death. Tiredness was the most common side effect 10/30 (33.3%) in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of the ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir regimen for 12 weeks is effective and well tolerated, and can be used safely in treating children older than 3 years and adolescent patients with chronic hepatitis C.