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©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email Approach to treatment decisions for children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection This algorithm outlines the author's recommendations for treatment for most children with HCV infection. Treatment decisions for individual patients may deviate from this algorithm because of parental preference and other complicating factors, including comorbid conditions that raise concerns for more rapid disease progression. PEG IFN: pegylated interferon alfa; HCV: hepatitis C virus. * In our practice, we are more likely to perform a liver biopsy for patients who have longer duration of disease (eg, children >10 years old with perinatally acquired HCV) or for those with comorbid disease. Some providers perform liver biopsies only if the treatment decision is in question; others encourage liver biopsy to provide baseline information about disease severity. • If possible, treatment of children with HCV genotype 1 might be deferred until triple therapy is available for children, of done sooner in the context of a clinical trial.