Importantly, the case–control analysis of the present study has also suggested a potential effect of IFN therapy on reducing the occurrence of HCC; a finding which may be worth further studies because it is critically important to determine whether IFN therapy should be recommended to reduce the future risk of HCC for children with chronic hepatitis B. Such a beneficial effect has been shown for adults 33. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and chronic hepatitis B virus infection.