Chronic hepatitis C
ICD-10 B18.2 · ICD-11 1E51.1

Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Children and Adolescents Aged 3 Years or Older

This protocol covers the management of chronic hepatitis C in paediatric patients aged 3 years and older — including adolescents — who are without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis of the liver, specifically in resource-limited settings.

Clinical Scenario

Children and adolescents aged 3 years or older with chronic hepatitis C, presenting either without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, in resource-limited settings. This population requires careful consideration of age and body weight when selecting and dosing therapy.

Treatment Approach

Current evidence supports an oral pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimen administered once daily, with dosing determined by body weight. Several approved agent options are available for eligible children and adolescents in this setting.

The full protocol specifies which agents to choose, the corresponding weight-based dosing thresholds, and treatment duration adjustments for treatment-experienced patients or those with compensated cirrhosis — access it via the button below.

Treatment Goal

The primary endpoint is sustained virological response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12): undetectable HCV RNA in blood, measured by a sensitive assay with a lower limit of detection of 15 IU/mL, 12 weeks after the end of treatment.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens
References

DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12160

In alignment with the World Health Organization, we recommend the following treatments for adolescents and children without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis in resource‑limited settings:

The fixed‑dose combination of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir administered once daily with food.

The fixed‑dose combination of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir administered once daily.

The combination of sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir administered once daily.

The endpoint of therapy with DAA in children is undetectable HCV RNA in blood by a sensitive assay with a lower limit of detection of 15 IU/mL 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12).

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