Peginterferon α-2b may deter growth, thyroid function in children with CHB

Treatment with peginterferon (PegIFN) α-2b appears to inhibit the growth of and thyroid function in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), suggests a study.

“These effects are generally reversible with the cessation of therapy, although weight-for-age z score (WAZ) had not returned to baseline after 96 weeks of observation,” the investigators said.

“We also observed no association between thyroid dysfunction caused by PegIFN α-2b therapy and growth impairment,” they added.

In this retrospective study, the investigators extracted clinical data from children with CHB treated with PegIFN α-2b monotherapy at the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu, China, between June 2017 and December 2020. They assessed relevant data using independent samples t-test and 1-way repeated analysis of variance.

Sixty-two children were analysed in this study. Overall, WAZ, height-for-age z score (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age z score (BAZ) showed significant differences at various time points (p<0.001). [Pediatr Infec Dis J 2025;44:112-117]

At 24 weeks of treatment, PegIFN α-2b did not significantly affect WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ (p>0.05 for all). WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ at the end of treatment and 48 weeks post-treatment and WAZ at 96 weeks after treatment were lower than baseline levels (p<0.05 for all). Conversely, HAZ and BAZ at 96 weeks after treatment showed no significant differences relative to baseline levels.

Of the children, 17.7 percent developed thyroid dysfunction during the treatment. However, thyroid dysfunction was transient and did not affect growth.

Interferon therapy

“[W]e observed that 24 weeks of PegIFN α-2b therapy did not yield significant effects on WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ in children with CHB,” the investigators said. “However, as the treatment regimen progressed, we noted a notable decline in WAZ, HAZ and BAZ compared with baseline levels at the end of treatment and 48 weeks after treatment.”

While HAZ and BAZ showed recovery by week 96 post-treatment, WAZ did not return to baseline levels.

In a previous study, 24 weeks of IFNα therapy showed temporary effects on weight and height in children with CHB, with subsequent compensatory accelerated growth among those who had poor growth during treatment. [Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004;20:825-830]

Likewise, a study by Gottrand and colleagues, which involved 11 children with CHB and chronic hepatitis C treated with IFNα for 6 months, observed weight loss in the third month of treatment. Weight was later restored within 6 months after treatment.

“Notably, IFNα treatment did not significantly influence height or height velocity,” the investigators said. “Although our findings align with certain aspects of previous research, disparities may arise due to variations in age, therapeutic regimens, and treatment duration across study.”

Given the complicated nature of factors that influence body weight regulation (eg, dietary habits, physical exercise, and sleep patterns), further research is needed to determine the specific effect of using PegIFN α-2b on weight dynamics, according to the investigators.