Proposal of a step-wise follow-up for hepatitis C seropositive mothers and their infants
Zuccotti, G.V.; Cucchi, C.; Torcoletti, M.; Gemmellaro, L.; Sala, D.; Salvini, F.; Riva, E.
La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica Medical and Surgical Pediatrics 25(1): 6-11
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-5387 PMID: 12920971 Document Number: 560931
Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus can take place in utero, during labour or after birth. Rate of vertical transmission varies widely between surveys but is around 5-6%. Maternal risk factors which may condition perinatal transmission risk are HIV/HCV coinfection, drug use, viral load, viral genotype, type of delivery and breastfeeding. On the basis of recent data, we propose a step-wise follow-up for HCV seropositive mothers and their infants. This proposal might represent an important occasion to unify behaviors in different Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology Units.