To investigate the short-term efficacy of antiviral therapy for children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

The clinical data, short-term efficacy and adverse reactions of antiviral therapy for 24 weeks of 6 children who met inclusion criteria from March 2019 to December 2019 were analyzed, retrospectively.

Among the 6 cases, 2 cases were male and 4 cases were female, the diagnosis age was 1 year 4 months to 9 years 4 months. Total of 5 cases had HBsAg positive mothers and 1 case had HBsAg positive father, all with HBeAg positive. Treatment effect: after 24 weeks of treatment, 4 cases with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) returned to normal, and 2 cases with ALT remained at a low level. After 24 weeks of treatment, HBV DNA of 4 cases were lower than the detection limit, and HBV DNA of 2 cases reduced significantly (2.31 × 10³ IU/ml and 1.96 × 10² IU/ml). After 24 weeks of treatment, 1 case had HBeAg negative conversion and 1 case had HBeAg serological conversion. Total of 3 cases had HBsAg clearance, among whom, 1 case had HBsAg seroconversion with anti-HBs, but HBeAg was positive. HBsAg decreased significantly in 2 cases (55.35 IU/ml and 35.45 IU/ml). For the 9 years 4 months case with HBeAg negative, ALT returned to normal, HBV DNA was lower than detection limit, while HBsAg was still high (9 875 IU/ml). Adverse reactions: 4 cases had mild influenza-like symptoms, 4 cases had fever, 3 cases had mild fatigue and 4 cases had decreased appetite. Leukocytes and neutrophils were decreased and returned to normal without special intervention. At the beginning of treatment, 4 cases had transient elevation of ALT, most of them were slightly elevated. There was no case with rash, hair loss, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Antiviral therapy for children with CHB had good efficacy and few adverse reactions. Early initiation of antiviral therapy was recommended for those with indications of treatment.