Hepatitis C and pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review protocol

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Obstetrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis C (HCV) affects many women of childbearing age.
• While vertical transmission is known, HCV's impact on pregnancy outcomes remains unclear.
• Newer, effective HCV treatments necessitate understanding pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize literature on pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal HCV infection.
• To investigate specific outcomes such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and hypertension.
• To provide a baseline for evaluating HCV treatment safety and efficacy in pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of articles from major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.) and grey literature.
• Inclusion of studies on pregnancy outcomes like gestational diabetes and cesarean delivery.
• Quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and independent data extraction.

Main Results:

• The review synthesizes existing literature on pregnancy outcomes in women with HCV.
• Findings will highlight risks and associations between HCV and various pregnancy complications.
• Data synthesis will address equivocal findings in previous studies.

Conclusions:

• This review will consolidate evidence on pregnancy outcomes for women with HCV.
• Results will inform clinical practice, policy-making, and guideline development.
• The findings aim to support optimal care for pregnant individuals living with HCV.