Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnancy.
- Author:
Yong Wook KIM
;
Jong Min LEE
;
Gwang Jun KIM
;
Hayng Mi LEE
;
Suk Young KIM
;
Jee Sung LEE
;
Sun LEE
;
Young Jin KIM
;
Young Soo SON
;
Seung Hun CHOI
;
Chan Yong PARK
;
Soon Pyo LEE
;
Byung Chul WHANG
;
Yu Duk CHOI
;
Ji Hong PARK
;
Sang Ik NAM
;
Bong Ho GO
;
Sang Hee KIM
;
Joo Hyun KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis C virus;
Risk factors;
HCV-Ab test;
HCV-RNA test
- MeSH:
Alcohol Drinking;
Antigens, Surface;
Blood Transfusion;
Drinking;
Female;
Hepacivirus*;
Hepatitis B virus;
Hepatitis C*;
Hepatitis*;
Humans;
Infant, Newborn;
Liver;
Liver Function Tests;
Mothers;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Pregnancy*;
Pregnant Women;
Prevalence;
Risk Factors;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Syphilis
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2000;43(4):597-603
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus seropositivity and define the risk factors for HCV infection in a group of pregnant women and the effect of HCV infection to mother and baby at the time of delivery. METHODS: From March 1997 to February 1998, 5655 women who delivered over 20 gestational weeks at our hospital were screened for HCV-Antibody(RIA), and the samples of most of HCV-Ab positive cases were analyzed for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). We also studied the risk factors for HCV infection, the effect of HCV infection to mothers and neonates at delivery. RESULTS: Of 5655 mothers 25 (0.44%) were HCV-Ab positive, and 20 of HCV-Ab positive mothers were analyzed for HCV-RNA by PCR. Of 20 HCV-Ab positive mothers 12 cases (60%) were HCV-RNA positive. Risk factors significantly more prevalent among HCV-seropositive patients were : a history of habitual intraveneous drug use, a history of smoking, alcohol drinking during pregnancy, having liver cirrhorsis. The proportions who had received a blood transfusion, had a history or ongoing syphilis or were positive for hepatitis B virus surface antigen were not significantly different between seropositive and seronegative women. Liver function test at delivery was abnormal in 4 cases(16%) of HCV-Ab positive group. And the number of abnomal liver function test cases in HCV-Ab negative group were 47(0.83%). This had statistical difference. In neonates at delivery, all 20 neonates of 20 ones having HCV-Ab positive mother were HCV-Ab positive. But only 2 cases of 20 babies were HCV-RNA positive. CONCLUSION: Mothers who have risk factors such as injecting drug use, smoking, alchohol drinking and liver cirrhorsis, should undergo HCV-Ab testing and quantitative HCV-RNA testing by PCR. More advanced studies about vertical transmission of HCV infection are needed.
