Management of Pediatric Chronic Hepatitis C with Crushed or Split Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir: A Case Series From East Jeddah Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Purpose: Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) is approved for chronic hepatitis C treatment in both adults and pediatric patients, no data regarding crushing this drug in pediatric populations. This case series evaluate the efficacy and safety of crushed or split GLE/PIB tablets in two pediatric patients at East Jeddah Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Patients and methods: Two treatment-naïve pediatric patients with normal liver function received weight-based GLE/PIB for eight weeks. The first patient ingested crushed tablets with juice, while the second consumed divided tablets. Viral load, liver function, and coagulation profiles were monitored. Both patients achieved rapid viral suppression, with hepatitis C RNA undetectable or near the lower limit of quantification by day 14. Liver function tests improved, and no adverse effects were observed.

Conclusion: This is the first case series of successful pediatric HCV treatment using crushed or Hepatitis C virus and hepatocellular carcinoma: carcinogenesis in the era of direct-acting antivirals split GLE/PIB. This approach may expand treatment options in resource-limited settings where pediatric formulations are unavailable.