Efficiency and safety of sofosbuvir in Bangladeshi children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

Background and aims

Currently, treatment with oral direct-acting antivirals is recommended for all hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and ribavirin combination therapy for children and adolescents in Bangladesh who are living with chronic HCV infection.

Methods

An experimental study was performed from January 2021 to December 2022. HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive thalassemic children, who were 6–18 years of age, were enrolled by consecutive nonprobability sampling. Clinical features were recorded, and investigations were performed. All patients were initially treated with sofosbuvir (200 mg for 6- to 11-year-olds and 400 mg for 12- to 18-year-olds) and ribavirin (10–15 mg/kg/day) and were assessed clinically on a four-weekly basis, along with liver-function testing. The total duration of therapy was 24 weeks. HCV PCR was done at the end of treatment and 12 weeks after the completion of treatment to see the sustained virological response.

Results

There were 26 cases in total, with a mean age of 9.26 ± 2.82 years; 14 were males (53.8%), and 12 females (46.2%). Twenty-five (96.15%) patients achieved a sustained virological response, and the end-of-treatment PCR was negative. One patient (3.85%) was a nonresponder even after 24 weeks of treatment. The medication was well received, with only four patients (15.3%) reporting headaches that were reported untreated.

Conclusion

The combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin is effective in treating chronic HCV infection and is not accompanied by any major negative side effects.