ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relation of HBV genotypes to clincal features in children with chronic hepatitis B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotypes of serum HBV DNA from 404 children with chronic hepatitis B were determined by PCR using type-specific primers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the 404 children, genotype B in 99 (24.5%), genotype C in 285 (70.5%). For the 75 children from south part of China, 29 were of genotype B (38.7%) and 44 of genotype C (58.7%). For the 329 children from north part of China, 70 were of genotype B (21.3%) and 241 of genotype C (73.3%). There were significant differences between the children from south part and those from north part of China in genotype B and C (P = 0.002). Genotype B and C were not significantly correlated to gender, age and mother-to-fetus transmission. There was no marked difference in liver injury severity (P = 0.4796), serum HBeAg positivity, HBVDNA level, inflammatory degree of liver tissue (P = 0.209) and liver fibrosis( P = 0.177) between the children with genotype B and those with genotype C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In children with HBV infection, genotype C accounts for 70.5% and genotype B for 24.5%. The genotypes are of regional difference in children with HBV infeciton. There are replication and liver pathological change between genotype B and genotype C.</p>