Hepatitis C: Could we eradicate this virus?

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a health problem worldwide, both in children and adults. Its spontaneous resolution may occur during early childhood, and then it becomes uncommon. Although most cases are asymptomatic during childhood and adolescence, as adults, patients may progress to cirrhosis and develop complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma. The goal of an effective treatment should be virus elimination, i.e., disease cure. Recently, the emergence of several direct-acting antivirals has enabled a high rate of infection resolution in 97-100 % of cases. To achieve this cost-effective objective, it is critical to raise awareness among pediatricians so that they can detect infected patients and refer them to a pediatric liver specialist for an adequate management.