Background:     The aim of the study was estimation of antioxidant defence state in children with chronic viral hepatitis.
Material/Methods:     We examined 100 children with chronic viral hepatitis who have serological and molecular markers of HBV or HCV infection. In all patients catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in erythrocytes were assayed.
Results:     We observed statisticaly significant decrease of CAT and SOD activities and increase of GSH - Px activity in children with chronic hepatitis B and C.
Conclusions:     Our data suggest the possibility of insufficiency of antioxidant barrier in children with chronic viral hepatitis.

Keywords: children, viral hepatitis, Oxidative Stress