The objective of the present study, conducted in Turkey, was to investigate the effects of ribavirin on bone mineral metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been treated with interferon and ribavirin.

Twenty patients (3 female, 17 male) with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled. Age range was 6 to 15 years.

Thirteen patients received combined interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy (Group 1), and 7 patients received only interferon alpha-2b (Group 2). Both groups were treated for 12 months.

Bone mineral density, z-scores and biochemical bone markers were evaluated in both groups before and after treatment.

Results

• There were no significant differences between the groups in age or gender.
• Mean lumbar vertebral bone mineral density and mean z-scores in groups 1 and 2 before and after treatment were not significantly different.
• In both groups, serum and urinary biochemical values and bone markers were all normal and there were no differences between the pre-treatment and post-treatment values.

The authors conclude, “Contrary to studies in adults, we did not find any ribavirin-dependent changes related to bone mineral metabolism in our pediatric study groups.”

“Further studies are needed to obtain more detailed information about the effects of ribavirin on bone mineral density.”

N Urganci and others. The Effect of Ribavirin on Bone Density in Children with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with Interferon-Ribavirin Therapy. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 41(5): 650-652. November 2005.