The aim of the work was the evaluation of the interferon alpha (IFN) treatment in children of different ages with chronic hepatitis B. Observation was carried out on a group of 63 children with clinically and histopathologically diagnosed chronic hepatitis. 39 children out of this group (24 up to s years of age and 15 over 3 years old) with HBs and HBe antigenemia lasting for over 6 months were qualified for IFN treatment. The control group consisted of 24 children with cph without treatment. 12 months after IFN treatment termination in the subgroup of younger children regression of HBV DNA polymerase activity was observed in 54.4% of cases; 63.6% of children seroconverted to antiHBe, and 12.5% seroconverted to antiHBs as well. In the subgroup of older children regression of HBV DNA polymerase activity was observed in 50.0% of children and the same percentage seroconverted to antiHBe. In the control group 25.0% of untreated children seroconverted to antiHBe.

Keywords: children, interferon alpha, HBV infection, chronic hepatitis