Assessment of liver fibrosis in children with chronic HBV infection by non!invasive methods
Authors:   SI Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.M. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Berezenko V.S. , Tkalik O.M. ,   SI Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.M. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Dyba M.B. ,   SI Institute of Pediatrics of Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.М. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Krat V.V. ,   SI Institute of Pediatrics of Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.М. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Mykhailіuk H.Z. ,   SI Institute of Pediatrics of Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.М. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv
Published: January 2022

Purpose — to assess liver fibrosis in children with chronic HBV infection with nonEinvasive methods: instrumental (shear wave elastography) and serological (APRI score). Materials and methods. 70 children with HCV aged 2–17 years were examined. The stage of liver fibrosis was determined by the APRI index and the method of shear wave elastography. Results. The majority (82.8%; n=58) of children were diagnosed with HBeAgEpositive HBV infection: HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis occurred in 54.3% (n=38) of children, HBeAg-positive chronic infection in 28.6% (n=20). 15.7% (n=11) of children had HBeAg-negative chronic infection, and only one (1.4%) patient had HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis. According to the results of shear wave elastography, in 64.3% (n=45) the stage of liver fibrosis F0-1 was diagnosed; in 35.7% (n=25) — stage of fibrosis >F2. According to APRI score, 63.0% (n=44) had liver fibrosis F0-1, and liver fibrosis stage >F2 was diagnosed in 37.2% (n=26). According to liver elastography, 42.0% of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis were diagnosed with liver fibrosis stage >F2. According to APRI score, almost 66% (n=46) of children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis had progressive liver fibrosis >F2. According to the correlation analysis results, a direct correlation was found between liver enzymes levels and APRI score — ALT (τ=0.67; p<0.05), AST (τ=0.72; p<0.05) and GGT (τ=0.26; p<0.05). Conclusions. Most children with chronic HBV infection had stage F0-1 liver fibrosis according to both elastography and APRI score (64% and 63%, respectively). Elastography fibrosis stage >F2 was diagnosed in 42% of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis, while APRI index fibrosis stage >F2 was diagnosed in 66% of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis. Thus, the results of the liver fibrosis evaluation according to the liver elastography and APRI score in children with chronic HBV infection are similar and can be used in clinical practice to select patients who require antiviral therapy. The APRI score depends on the activity of hepatitis and its use in children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis has certain limitations. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: children, chronic HBV infection, fibrosis, shear wave elastography, APRI.