Hepatitis C

Potential Effect on Fetus

  • Hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis and/or liver cancer (later in life)

Rate of Perinatal Transmission

  • High maternal viral load is predictive of vertical transmission (up to 5%).
  • Potential increased risk of transmission if mother co-infected with HIV (5.4%).

Maternal Screening

- Screening HCV-Ab recommended in high risk pregnant patients:

  • injection drug users and their partners
  • blood transfusion before 1992
  • undiagnosed hepatitis.

- Viral load testing may be considered.

  • consult Infectious Diseases or Hepatologist and Maternal/Fetal specialist.

Prevention

- Avoid high risk behavior (e.g. injection drug use)

- Currently no post exposure prophylaxis available.