Posttransfusion hepatitis C virus infection in children

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a risk to pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery, primarily through blood transfusions.
• Understanding the incidence and risk factors for HCV infection in this vulnerable population is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of HCV infection in children who underwent open heart surgery.
• To evaluate the impact of anti-HCV screening in blood banks on preventing post-transfusion hepatitis C.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 196 patients who had open heart surgery 2-6 years prior.
• Prospective enrollment of 94 patients, comparing those screened before and after blood bank HCV screening implementation.
• HCV antibody and RNA testing, viral genotyping, and liver function tests were performed.

Main Results:

• The overall HCV infection rate was 4% in the retrospective group (7/196).
• In the prospective group, none of the 56 patients screened after blood bank HCV implementation were infected.
• Of 38 patients screened before implementation, 2 (5.3%) were infected with HCV genotype 2.

Conclusions:

• The seroconversion rate for HCV in children undergoing open heart surgery in Taiwan is estimated at 4-5%.
• Implementing anti-HCV screening in donor blood significantly reduces the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis C in pediatric surgical patients.
• HCV infection outcomes were not associated with sex, age, transfusion volume, or HCV genotype.