Efficacy of Entecavir Treatment in a 8-Year-Old Child with Chronic Hepatitis B

Although the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has decreased significantly in Turkey since the introduction of universal immunization programs and blood donor screening, few children are still infected vertically with HBV. In Turkey, entecavir is approved for use for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in children aged 16 years and older. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 Hepatitis B Guidance reported that entecavir can be used for treating CHB in a weight-based dosing in children aged 2 years and older. Eight-year-old children with CHB unresponsive to lamivudine (LAM) treated successfully with entecavir without significant adverse effect. In children younger than 16 years, use of entecavir may be considered for treating CHB if there is no adequate response to LAM.