Clinical Consensus Statement No. 458: Hepatitis C Virus in Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Infectious Disease
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Public Health Screening

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses risks to pregnant individuals and newborns.
• Current antenatal care practices offer opportunities for integrated infectious disease screening.
• Optimizing antenatal and infectious disease care is crucial for managing HCV in pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance on routine antenatal screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in pregnancy.
• To support best practices in antenatal and infectious disease care for pregnant individuals.
• To outline benefits, harms, and costs associated with universal HCV screening during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of published and unpublished data from 2017 to July 2023.
• Searches conducted across major databases (OVID Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library).
• Recommendations developed through a consensus process, rated by evidence quality and strength.

Main Results:

• Universal screening for HCV in pregnancy is recommended.
• Benefits include eligibility for treatment, reduced transmission risk, and newborn screening opportunities.
• Potential for psychological distress exists, but costs of identification and treatment are outweighed by healthcare savings.

Conclusions:

• Routine antenatal screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a recommended public health strategy.
• Implementation supports improved maternal and infant health outcomes.
• Aligns with World Health Organization goals for HCV burden reduction.