[Vertical transmission causing hepatitis C in a newborn infant].

There is a case report of an intrauterine growth retarded infant who was suffering of sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. An exchange transfusion was carried out because of hyperbilirubinaemia on the 5th day of life. 10 days later high bilirubin concentration was observed again parallel to the liver enzyme abnormalities. HCV-related antibodies were detectable in the sera of the newborn and his mother as well. The results of analysis of HCV RNA with the polymerase chain reaction in the infant and his mother suggest vertical transmission of HCV infection. This is the first case of HCV infection in the newborn caused by vertical transmission in Hungary.