TY - JOUR
T1 - Pregnancy and hepatitis C virus infection
AU - Paternoster, D.
AU - Santarossa, C.
AU - Vettore, N.
AU - Fabris, F.
AU - Palu, G.
AU - Boschetto, R.
AU - Floreani, A.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and biochemical aspects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy and after delivery, and to differentiate the outcome of pregnancy between HCV RNA-positive and -negative women. Methods: The study involved 10 120 consecutive pregnant women screened in the Obstetric Department for High Risk Pregnancy at the University of Padua, Italy, between 1992 and 1998. Each woman underwent the following: serological screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HCV serum markers (anti-HCV antibodies, HCV RNA, viral load), platelet-associated IgG and serum bindable anti-platelet IgG, and antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus. Results: Of the 10 120 pregnant women, 115 (1.13%) tested positive for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies. Of the 115 anti-HCV antibody-positive mothers observed at initial screening, 68 (59.1%) were found to be positive for HCV RNA, the remaining 47 (40.9%) being HCV RNA-negative. Four of the 68 HCV RNA-positive women incurred stillbirth (5.9%); the remaining 64 HCV RNA-positive mothers gave birth to 68 babies, including four sets of twins. Conclusions: There is no risk to pregnancy outcome in HCV RNA-positive and -negative mothers. Pregnancy does not induce a deterioration of liver disease and HCV infection does not increase the risk of obstetric complications.
AB - Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and biochemical aspects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy and after delivery, and to differentiate the outcome of pregnancy between HCV RNA-positive and -negative women. Methods: The study involved 10 120 consecutive pregnant women screened in the Obstetric Department for High Risk Pregnancy at the University of Padua, Italy, between 1992 and 1998. Each woman underwent the following: serological screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HCV serum markers (anti-HCV antibodies, HCV RNA, viral load), platelet-associated IgG and serum bindable anti-platelet IgG, and antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus. Results: Of the 10 120 pregnant women, 115 (1.13%) tested positive for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies. Of the 115 anti-HCV antibody-positive mothers observed at initial screening, 68 (59.1%) were found to be positive for HCV RNA, the remaining 47 (40.9%) being HCV RNA-negative. Four of the 68 HCV RNA-positive women incurred stillbirth (5.9%); the remaining 64 HCV RNA-positive mothers gave birth to 68 babies, including four sets of twins. Conclusions: There is no risk to pregnancy outcome in HCV RNA-positive and -negative mothers. Pregnancy does not induce a deterioration of liver disease and HCV infection does not increase the risk of obstetric complications.
KW - Chronic hepatitis
KW - Hepatitis C virus
KW - Pregnancy outcome
KW - Risk factors
KW - Vertical transmission
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034006369&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
SN - 1359-8635
VL - 5
SP - 42
EP - 47
JO - Prenatal and Neonatal Medicine
JF - Prenatal and Neonatal Medicine
IS - 1
ER -