Molecular evidence of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis G virus among women without known risk factors for parenteral infections

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA was detected in 18 of 133 pregnant women from T anzania without known risk factors for HGV infection and in 7 of 18 childre n born to HGV RNA-positive mothers. Molecular evidence of mother-to-infant transmission was obtained only for three of seven children. HGV RNA was als o detected in 4 of 42 children born to non-HGV-infected women. Thus, mechan isms other than materno-filial may play an important role in HGV transmissi on during early childhood.