Hepatitis B virus infection in children

Hepatitis B can develop in less than 5% of neonates of infected mothers, despite neonatal serovaccination. Most children will develop a chronic hepatitis. Most children are in an immune-tolerant or in an inactive phase. Interferon is the treatment of choice, in the rare cases where it is necessary. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.