VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION

Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied in 58 inf ants of 55 mothers (3 sets of twins). HCV RNA analyses by the polymera se chain reaction (PCR) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were perfor med on consecutive blood samples from birth to 18 months of age (0, 3, 9 and 18 months). Data on factors possibly influencing mother-to-infa nt transmission of HCV, such as concomitant human immunodeficiency vir us (HIV) and hepatitis B virus infection during pregnancy, maternal HC V RNA status at delivery mode of delivery, prematurity and breastfeedi ng habits mere collected. In addition, 6 older siblings (age 4-10 year s) of the infants were tested once for anti-HCV. Of the 55 mothers 52 (95%) had a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU). Two mothers were H IV positive, 40/54 (75%) tested mothers were HCV RNA positive. 16 (27% ) infants mere delivered by Caesarean section, and 50 (86%) infants we re breastfed. All infants were HCV RNA negative on all occasions and a nti-HCV negative at the age of 18 months. Maternally acquired anti-HCV antibodies disappeared and were not detected by 9 months in 78 %. One of the 6 older siblings was anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive. We conclud e that the risk of vertical HCV transmission is low in infants of HCV- positive/HIV-negative mothers, and that breastfeeding seems to be safe in this group.