What is the impact of hepatitis C on pregnancy?

Hepatitis C virus prenatal diagnosis benefits both the mother and the unborn child. Compared to people who contract HCV as adolescents, children who are perinatally infected develop cirrhosis earlier in life. Poor maternal and newborn outcomes are more likely to occur in pregnant women with cirrhosis than in those without it.

Most women with hepatitis C who become pregnant have a healthy pregnancy in which the hepatitis C virus (HCV) does not pass to the foetus. Hepatitis C, however, may increase the dangers of pregnancy.

There is a 5% possibility that an unborn child will contract HCV from a pregnant woman. Pregnancy difficulties may also be more likely in those with cirrhosis, a condition where the liver has developed scar tissue.

HCV, a virus that transmits through direct contact with blood, causes hepatitis C, a liver condition. Those with HCV should take care to prevent transmission because the virus is contagious.

Hepatitis C can be acute, which means that it only lasts a short while before going away. Moreover, an ongoing infection may develop. HCV has the potential to develop into liver cancer and permanent liver damage over time.

But there are solutions out there that work. Antiviral drugs can cure more than 95% of persons with HCV infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Before to or after conception, it is crucial to seek testing and treatment as soon as possible.

How does it affect pregnancy:

Pregnancy is often not significantly impacted by an uncomplicated HCV infection. The majority of women who have hepa titis C experience uneventful pregnancies without any issues.

According to certain studies, those who have HCV are more likely to experience pregnancy difficulties, but these studies did not account for other illnesses that might possibly play a role, like substance use disorders.

Nonetheless, difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth may be more common in patients with cirrhosis brought on by severe HCV. These issues could include:

•          Preeclampsia
•         The need for a cesarean delivery
•          Preterm birth
•          Low birth weight
•          Hemorrhaging

Those with cirrhosis who are pregnant should address these risks with their doctor.

Can doctors treat it during pregnancy:

Hepatitis C is typically not treated when pregnant by doctors. This is due to the fact that there aren't many extensive studies that have examined the potential dangers of prescribing direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the kind of medication that doctors use for HCV, to expectant women. The safety of this medication during pregnancy cannot be confirmed by doctors due to a lack of study.

 Congenital defects can be brought on by some DAAs, including ribavirin. This risk persists for up to six months after the drug user stops using it.

However, there are no safety issues with other DAAs, such as sofosbuvir and ledipasvir, according to limited trials. Some pregnant patients may be treated with these medications, according to doctors.

Hepatitis C transmission to the foetus can be prevented if it is successfully treated by medical professionals prior to pregnancy. Yet, depending on the drug, continued treatment throughout pregnancy may not be safe.

Will hepatitis C pass on to the fetus:

Although it is conceivable, most of the time the virus does not spread from the pregnant woman to the foetus.

The most frequent way for children to contract HCV is through vertical transmission to the baby during pregnancy. By contact with blood while in the womb, during labour, or during the postpartum period, the newborn can catch HCV.

This is how the virus spreads from the pregnant person to the unborn child in roughly 5% of cases. When a person has both HIV and a high viral load, the danger goes up.

There are no known instances of breast- or chest-feeding causing HCV transmission. There might be a risk, though, if a person's nipples crack or bleed. If this happens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source advise temporarily discontinuing nursing while the nipples heal.

After the child is 18 months old, doctors can perform an HCV testTrusted Source. Before this moment, testing is not permitted since the baby's blood would still contain maternal antibodies that could cause a false positive. When doctors find out that a newborn has HCV, they can start routine monitoring and develop a treatment strategy.

Hepatitis C treatment:

The timing of HCV treatment can depend on a person’s age, the severity of the infection, and whether treatment will be safe for them.

Treatment for adults:

After giving birth or ceasing to breastfeed, the majority of pregnant adults with HCV can start treatment. At this time, a patient will get another HCV test to determine their viral load and to explore their DAA treatment choices.

Yet, sometimes medical intervention is not required. About 10–25% of women during the postpartum period, spontaneous clearance of HCV has been seen in several studies. According to scientists, this might happen as a result of changes in the immune system during pregnancy.

Treatment for children:

Children with HCV are able to self-clear the virus by the time they are 2 years old in 40% of cases. But, those who don't usually start therapy after their third birthday. Doctors may start the child's treatment earlier in certain circumstances.

Regardless matter how serious the infection is, children with HCV should receive DAA therapy since it lowers the likelihood that they will develop life-threatening conditions. Until the infection is eliminated, doctors will often check on children who have HCV to assess their general health and liver function.