| Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnancy. |
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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 |
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| 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. |
| Key Words:
Hepatitis C virus, Risk factors, HCV-Ab test, HCV-RNA test |
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