Irish Child Health Database - Peer Reviewed Papers
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Outcome of infants born to hepatitis C infected women
Published in:
Ir J Med Sci, Vol: 170, Page: 103-6; discussion 92-3
Publication Date:
2001 Apr-Jun
Aims & Objectives:
The aim of this study was to examine outcomes of infants born to Hepatitis C virus infected women, to characterise epidemiology and to design an appropriate infant monitoring schedule
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be transmitted vertically from mother to infant, either late in pregnancy or at delivery. AIMS: To determine the outcome of infants born to HCV infected women, to characterise epidemiology and to design an appropriate infant monitoring schedule. METHODS: Three hundred and fourteen infants, born to 296 HCV positive women between 1994 and 1999 were monitored for a median of 18 months (range 1-52). RESULTS: Forty per cent of infants were small for age and 46% had neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Of 173 infants of defined status, 11 were infected (vertical transmission rate [VTR] 6.4%, 95% CI 2.8-10). Infected infants were diagnosed at a median of three months (range 0.5-10). Liver transaminases elevation was documented in 8% of uninfected infants. A negative HCV PCR test before one month of age did not exclude infection but all infected patients had detectable HCV RNA when next tested (range 2-10 months). CONCLUSIONS: 94% of infants born to HCV antibody positive women are not HIV infected. Liver transaminase elevation in exposed infants is not always indicative of infection. A minimum monitoring schedule of testing (PCR and antibody) at six to eight weeks, six and 18 months allows early diagnosis while detecting late seroconversions.
Authors:
Study Type:
Study Papers » Case Study » Descriptive Studies - Without a comparision
Categories:
hepatitis C
International Classification:
Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Viral hepatitis - hepatitis C
Keywords:
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Chi-Square Distribution
- Delivery, Obstetric
- Disease Transmission, Vertical
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hepatitis C/diagnosis/epidemiology/ transmission
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Male
- Prospective Studies
Geography:
Republic of Ireland (Republic of Ireland)

