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Perinatal Hep C Prognosis

Hepatitis C (HCV) is one of six viruses that causes hepatitis and frequently results in liver disease. While it is uncommon in children, vertical transmission (from mother to unborn child) occurs in about 5 percent of cases, according to the website Hepatitis Neighborhood. Hepatitis C transmission from mother to child is more likely to occur when the mother also has HIV or contracted HCV during her pregnancy.

  1. Function

    • Hepatitis C is transmitted from mother to the fetus via the blood exchanged through the placenta. It can be passed to the child during delivery when the mother and child's blood are in close contact. Transmission of the virus through breast-feeding is rare if it happens at all, according to Hepatitis Neighborhood.

    Time Frame

    • Children born to HCV-infected mothers need to be followed long term. This is because the virus may not reveal itself until months later. Also, most children will test positive for at least 18 months after birth because of the mother's antibodies, regardless of whether the child has actually acquired the virus.

    Outlook

    • Most infants with HCV have no symptoms, and most children continue to be asymptomatic through age 5. Doctors take a wait and watch (closely) approach to treatment. There are no treatment guidelines for pediatric HCV patients and insufficient medical studies to determine the prognosis of children infected with hepatitis C, explains Hepatitis Neighborhood.

    Effects

    • Despite the lack of medical studies on pediatric hepatitis C patients, certain factors make for a generally positive prognosis. Patients who are younger when getting the virus appear to have a lower risk of progressing to serious liver disease, says eMedicine.

    Prevention/Solution

    • In general, HCV patients can help assure a brighter prognosis by taking good care of themselves, eating a healthy diet, exercising and especially avoiding alcohol. Certain medications that negatively affect the liver should be avoided. Milk thistle may be a protective substance for the liver, according to Hepatitis C Central.

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