The Challenge of Treating Children with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

The development of oral hepatitis C virus direct acting antivirals has revolutionized the therapeutic field. Nowadays, multiple safe and highly effective antiviral regimens are commercially available to treat adults with hepatitis C infection. These new regimens for the first time, genuinely raise the prospects of eradicating hepatitis C virus. However, many challenges remain: from identifying infected individuals to optimizing treatment and ensuring global access to antiviral therapy to all population groups, including children. The only drugs currently approved for children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection are pegylated interferon and ribavirin. There are four registered ongoing pediatric trials assessing safety and efficacy of direct acting antivirals but their current completion timelines are years away. Herein, we summarize the state of the art of direct acting antivirals development for adult and children and highlight the crucial importance of overcoming barriers to treating children with hepatitis C virus.