Photo Credit: jarun011
The following is a summary of “Hepatitis C Virus Testing Among Perinatally Exposed Children: 2018 to 2020,” published in the November 2024 issue of Pediatrics by Woodworth et al.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant health concern for children born to mothers with HCV. Testing rates for HCV among children perinatally exposed to the virus remain suboptimal.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess the frequency of HCV testing in children perinatally exposed to HCV.
They used data from four U.S. jurisdictions (Georgia, Massachusetts, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and Los Angeles County, California), reviewing electronic laboratory reports, vital records, and medical records of 803 children perinatally exposed to HCV born between 2018 and 2020. Factors associated with HCV testing were identified among 615 children with available medical records or testing reports by age 24 months or earlier.
The results showed 615 children with available records; 50% were tested for HCV. Most children were tested for HCV antibodies at age 18 months or older (70%), while 9% had an HCV nucleic acid test between ages 2 and 6 months. No significant factors were associated with testing.
They concluded a significant gap in HCV testing for children perinatally exposed to the virus, emphasizing the need for improved provider education and follow-up resources.
