PEGYLATED INTERFERON +/- RIBAVIRIN FOR CHILDREN WITH HCV

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The goals of this study include: I. To assess the safety and efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG-2a) in combination with ribavirin (RV) and PEG-2a alone for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) infection in children. II. To determine whether PEG-2a in combination with RV or PEG-2a alone will result in a higher sustained virologic response rate in children with CHC. III. To examine the effects of PEG-2a (with or without concomitant RV) treatment on body mass index, body composition, and linear growth in children infected with hepatitis C. IV. To characterize short- and long-term outcomes, including health-related Quality of Life (QOL), cognitive and developmental and psychological functioning, and behavior in children treated with PEG-2a (with or without concomitant RV). This 5 year study will enroll 112 children between the ages of 5-18 who are infected with hepatitis C. The children will be enrolled from 11 participating centers across the United States. Children will be randomized into groups that receive PEG 2a alone or a combination of PEG 2a and ribavirin. Treatment duration can range from 48 weeks up to 100 weeks depending on how the child responds to treatment. Children who do not respond to PEG 2a alone will be switched to the combination therapy group at week 24. Following completion of the treatment phase, there is a 20 week untreated follow-up period as well as annual visits for the next 2 years thereafter.