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The incidence and evolution of thyroid dysfunction during interferon-alpha therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Author(s): Kuloglu Z, Kansu A, Berberoglu M, Adiyaman P, Ocal G, Girgin N

Affiliation(s): Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. zarifekuloglu@yahoo.com

Publication date & source: 2007-02, J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab., 20(2):237-45.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

AIM: To assess the effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy on thyroid functions in children with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). METHODS: Sixty-eight children (7.8 +/- 3.6 years) were treated with 5 (n = 37, group I) or 10 MU/m2 (n = 31, group II) IFN for 6 months. Thyroid hormones, thyrotropin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin autoantibodies were evaluated. RESULTS: Baseline features were not different in the two groups. After therapy, thyroid dysfunction was 27% and 41.9% in groups I and II (n.s.). Subclinical hypothyroidism was 17.9%/ 29%, subclinical hyperthyroidism 5.4%/12.9%, hypothyroidism 2.7%/-, and thyroid antibody positivity 2.7%/- in groups I and II (n.s.). Thyroid dysfunction was 33.8% in the whole group (p = 0.001). Predictors of IFN induced-thyroid dysfunction were female sex and age < 6 years. Thyroid dysfunction resolved within median 6 months in all but three children. CONCLUSION: Although IFN-induced thyroid dysfunction is mostly subclinical and reversible, this side effect should be kept in mind.

Page last updated: 2007-05-02

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