Neurocognitive Dysfunctions in Adolescents with Chronic HCV infection

Abstract

HCV is RNA virus which has six known genotypes numbered 1 through 6 and more than 50 subtypes. Genotype 4 frequency is the highest from Central Africa to the Middle East. The prevalence in Egypt varies with highest value in Lower Egypt (9%) and lowest in Upper Egypt (3%). The course of infection in children is more benign that in adult. HCV transmission mainly through parenteral routes implicates unsafe injections and vertical transmission is now the most common mode of infection in children. Neurocognitive dysfunctions have reported in more than half of patients with chronic HCV (fatigue, impaired concentration, depression, poor memory and reduced quality of life) regardless of the severity of liver involvement or virus replication rate. In the current study we assess the neurocognitive dysfunctions in adolescents with chronic HCV infection and the impact of treatment on their neurocognitive functions. Forty adolescents with HCV who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited from the regular attendants of the Pediatrics Hospital, Ain Shams University and 20 healthy children from outpatient clinic were also recruited. Forty adolescents with chronic HCV infection were divided into two groups as follows: