Prediction of Hepatitis C Virus Perinatal Transmission in Pregnant Individuals With Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Our objective was to develop a prediction model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection perinatal transmission to improve triage for neonatal follow-up. This was a secondary analysis of HCV antibody-positive participants who were enrolled in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network multicenter observational study of HCV infection in pregnancy. Among 432 participants, the perinatal transmission rate was 6.0% (95% CI, 4.0-8.7%). The prediction model was developed and included two factors: maternal HCV RNA titer greater than 10 6 international units/mL and having had any antepartum bleeding. Using this model, the area under the curve for perinatal transmission was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67-0.86). Probabilities of perinatal transmission of HCV infection ranged from 1.5% (a pregnant individual with HCV RNA 10 6 international units/mL or less and no antepartum bleeding) to 28.5% (a pregnant individual with an HCV RNA titer greater than 10 6 international units/mL and antepartum bleeding). Our results provide data to aid in clinical counseling of pregnant individuals with positive HCV antibodies. Additional research is needed to externally validate this prediction model.

Duke Scholars

Author Geeta Krishna Swamy Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine

Author Brenna L Hughes Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine