[Transmission routes of hepatitis C virus: analysis of anti-HCV-positive pregnant women and their family members].

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to study the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the mother-to-child transmission rate of HCV in babies born to HCV carrier mothers.

STUDY DESIGN

Anti-HCV antibody (anti-HCV) was tested for 2,528 consecutive pregnant women using an EIA first or second generation kit. Babies born to anti-HCV-positive mothers and their family members had their anti-HCV and HCV RNA checked. These babies were prospectively studied every 3 month till 1 year and therafter every 6 month.

RESULTS

1.19% of this population were positive for HCV. Eighteen of the 32 anti-HCV-positive pregnant women (56.3%) had HCV RNA. Six of 26 of their husbands (23.1%), 4 of 21 of their mothers (19.0%) and 6 of 11 of their fathers (54.5%) had anti-HCV, which were much higher prevalence rates than in the general population (p < 0.001). Two among 30 samples of cord blood from babies born to these pregnant women (6.7%) had HCV RNA. Among 29 children born to 18 HCV RNA-positive pregnant women, 4(13.8%) had HCV RNA, but none of 27 children born to 14 HCV RNA-negative pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that mother-to-child and intrafamilial transmission of HCV exists. Mother-to-child transmission, including by the transplacental route, occurs and the rate may be from 5 to 15%.