Hepatitis C in pregnancy

In epidemiologic studies done primarily in Europe and in the United States, antibody to hepatitis C has been present in approximately 1% to 4% of pregnant women. Although close to 50% of infected women have no known risk factors for infection, routine screening of pregnant women is not currently recommended. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be transmitted to the newborn at a rate of approximately 5%; it is not clear whether this occurs in utero, intrapartum, or both. Factors that increase the risk of vertical transmission include concomitant HIV infection and a high maternal HCV viral load. Breast feeding does not appear to significantly increase the risk of neonatal HCV infection. There is currently no treatment for HCV infection that is approved for use in pregnancy or for use in the neonate.