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[Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus]
C Rubio Quevedo1, M A Holgado Carballo, A García Suárez
1Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital MaternoInfantil Virgen de las Nieves. Granada. claudiorq@teleline.es
Insights
Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs in about 5.7% of infants born to infected mothers. Risk factors like HCV/HIV coinfection increase transmission rates, highlighting the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Vertical transmission is the primary route of HCV infection in children.
- Limited data exists on the rate and risk factors of mother-to-child HCV transmission.
Purpose:
- To determine the rate of vertical hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in at-risk neonates.
- To assess the influence of maternal risk factors on HCV transmission to infants.
- To evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection in children born to HCV-seropositive mothers.
Summary:
- A prospective study followed 35 infants born to HCV-seropositive mothers.
- HCV infection was confirmed in 5.7% of infants.
- Maternal risk factors including parenteral exposure and HIV coinfection were associated with increased transmission risk.
Impact:
- The study confirms a vertical HCV transmission rate of approximately 5%.
- Identifies maternal HCV/HIV coinfection and parenteral risk factors as significant contributors to transmission.
- Emphasizes the need for larger studies to ascertain HCV prevalence in pregnant women and refine transmission rates.
Objectives:
Few studies have been published on vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), although it is the most common cause of hepatitis C in children. We aimed to determine the rate of vertical transmission of HCV in at risk neonates and to assess the effect of possible risk factors.
Methods:
A prospective follow-up study was conducted in 35 children of seropositive mothers during an 18-month period (July 1997-January 1999). Testing for anti-HCV antibodies was performed with third generation enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay. HCV-RNA was qualitatively analyzed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and hepatic enzyme studies.
Results:
All the 35 children studied were positive for HCV antibodies at birth. The children became HCV negative at a mean age of 6 months. HCV infection was detected in two children (5.7%). The mother of one of these children had both HCV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Among the 35 seropositive mothers, a risk factor for percutaneous transmission of HCV (parenteral injection, drug addiction, or previous transfusions) was detected in 19(54%) and HIV coinfection was found in 9(26%).
Conclusions:
The present study is consistent with other studies that found a vertical HCV transmission rate of approximately 5%, with a greater risk if the mothers had HCV/HIV coinfection or parenteral risk factors. Studies with greater numbers of subjects are required to determine the prevalence of HCV in expectant mothers and the precise rate of vertical transmission. Infected children should be followed up to evaluate the repercussions of HCV infection.