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Three and one‐half million children around the world have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In Australia, the prevalence is estimated to be at least 0.4 cases per 100 000 children under 15 years of age. Chronic hepatitis C in children can have an indolent course, but can progress to hepatic fibrosis, chronic liver disease, and hepatocellular cancer. These often marginalised children experience reduced quality of life, social stigmatisation, and inadequate access to specialist care in Australia. Early treatment of HCV in children is cost‐effective and reduces the lifetime impact of chronic liver disease and its sequelae.

Direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatments have revolutionised the management of HCV infection. In April 2020, age restrictions were removed for three fixed dose DAA preparations subsidised in Australia by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This MJA research letter shares more.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain key components of the research letter
2. List main findings
3. Recognise the importance of direct-acting antiviral treatment in improving patients' health outcomes.

Details

Author: Jessica A Eldredge, Michael O Stormon, Julia E Clark, Scott Nightingale, Brendan McMullan, Brooke Andersen, Christina Travers and Winita Hardikar

Article Type: Research letter