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.