TY - JOUR
T1 - Vertical transmission of the hepatitis C virus
T2 - Current knowledge and issues
AU - Bortolussi, Robert
AU - Finlay, Jane
AU - Moore, Dorothy L.
AU - Robinson, Joan Louise
AU - Rousseau-Harsany, Élisabeth
AU - Samson, Lindy Michelle
AU - MacDonald, Noni E.
AU - Allen, Upton Dilworth
AU - Hui, Charles P.S.
AU - Saux, Nicole Le
AU - Pickering, Larry
AU - Salvadori, Marina Ines
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Approximately 5% of pregnant women with chronic HCV infection will transmit the virus to their infants. Currently, there are no specific interventions known to decrease perinatal transmission. The primary diagnostic test for exposed infants is HCV serology performed at 12 to 18 months of age. HCV RNA performed after two months of age is a sensitive and specific, but expensive, test. Use should be considered if there is significant parental anxiety or if there is concern that the infant will be lost to follow-up. Approximately 25% of infected infants will clear the virus spontaneously. The other 75% generally have only mild hepatitis throughout childhood, but they require follow-up because a small percentage will develop progressive liver disease and are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB - Approximately 5% of pregnant women with chronic HCV infection will transmit the virus to their infants. Currently, there are no specific interventions known to decrease perinatal transmission. The primary diagnostic test for exposed infants is HCV serology performed at 12 to 18 months of age. HCV RNA performed after two months of age is a sensitive and specific, but expensive, test. Use should be considered if there is significant parental anxiety or if there is concern that the infant will be lost to follow-up. Approximately 25% of infected infants will clear the virus spontaneously. The other 75% generally have only mild hepatitis throughout childhood, but they require follow-up because a small percentage will develop progressive liver disease and are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:57549118905
SN - 1205-7088
VL - 13
JO - Paediatrics and Child Health
JF - Paediatrics and Child Health
IS - 6
ER -
