Hepatitis C Virus Vertical Transmission
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted primarily via parenteral blood exposure and can be transmitted vertically from mother to child. The incidence of vertical transmission of HCV to infants from mothers who are only infected with HCV is 5.8% (95% confidence interval = 4.2%–7.8%). The incidence is two times higher in infants born to women who have high HCV viral loads or are coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HCV infection rate has been increasing in men and women aged 30 years and younger, which increases the possibility of an increased incidence of HCV infection in pregnant women and vertical transmission to infants. Data provided by Quest Diagnostics, using both HCV antibody and RNA testing, demonstrated that HCV infection increased 22% (from 139 to 169 per 100,000) in women of childbearing age between the years of 2011 and 2014. Similarly, HCV testing among children less than 2 years of age increased 14%, from 310 to 353 per 100,000. The proportion of infants born to HCV infected women increased 124%, from 1 in 142 (0.71%) to 1 in 63 (1.59%). During the same period, birth certificate data from the National Center for Health Statistics showed the proportion of infants born to HCV-infected mothers increased 68% nationally, from 0.19% to 0.32%. The incidence of HCV infection was highest in rural areas such as Appalachia.
These findings underscore the importance of assessing women of childbearing age, particularly pregnant women, for HCV risk and testing those at risk.
Koneru A. et al. Increased Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Detection in Women of Childbearing Age and Potential Risk for Vertical Transmission — United States and Kentucky, 2011–2014. MMWR Weekly / July 22, 2016 / 65(28);705–710.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6528a2.htm?s_cid=mm6528a2_e
