Safety and efficacy of Hansenula-derived PEGylated-interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin combination in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian children

Table 1 Demographic, laboratory and histopathological parameters in all patients n (%)

Parameter	All patients (n = 46)
Age (yr)	10.32 ± 3.46
Male	33 (71.7)
Duration of infection (yr)	5.29 ± 3.97
BMI	18.20 ± 2.77
Possible risk of infection
Surgery	14 (30.4)
Blood transfusion	16 (34.8)
Tonsillectomy	5 (10.9)
Circumcision	33 (71.7)
Minor procedures1	30 (65.2)
Vertical transmission	8 (17.4)
Family contact	18 (39.1)
More than one possible risk	43 (93.5)
Unknown risk factor	3 (6.5)
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	12.5 ± 1.1
ANC (× 103/μL)	3.13 ± 1.7
Platelets (× 103/μL)	280.7 ± 82.4
Albumin (g/dL)	4.1 ± 0.37
Alanine transaminase (U/L)	56.6 ± 55.03
Aspartate transaminase (U/L)	49.2 ± 31.65
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (U/L)	32.1 ± 26.6
Alkaline phosphatase (U/L)	212.5 ± 96.1
Prothrombin time (sec)	12.9 ± 0.62
Hepatomegaly (US)	3 (15.9)
Splenomegaly (US)	3 (15.9)
Viremia (IU/mL)
Low ( ≤ 2 × 105 IU/mL)	19 (41.3)
Moderate (> 2 × 105 - 2 × 106 IU/mL)	25 (54.3)
High (> 2 × 106 IU/mL)	2 (4.3)
Genotype:
4a	30 (65.2)
4b	8 (17.4)
Not determined	8 (17.4)
Fibrosis stage
Absent	13 (28.9)
Mild	30 (66.7)
Moderate	2 (4.4)
Activity grade
Mild	44 (97.8)
Moderate	1 (2.2)

¹Minor procedures were: Sutures, abscess drainage, ICU hospitalization, endoscopy, ear piercing, tattooing, prolonged hospitalization and dental care. US: Ultrasound; BMI: Body mass index.