       Document 0538
 DOCN  M9550538
 TI    [Transmission of hepatitis C virus from mother to infant]
 DT    9505
 AU    Martin PH; Denis F; Departement de Bacteriologie-Virologie, CHU
       Dupuytren, Limoges,; France.
 SO    Pathol Biol (Paris). 1994 Jun;42(6):593-601. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/95158097
 AB    The transmission of hepatitis C virus (VHC) by percutaneous exposure to
       blood contamination is well documented but account for only 50 to 60% of
       hepatitis C cases. The transmission route for sporadic cases remains
       controversial and transmission by sexual contact and vertical
       transmission have been implicated. Antibodies to HCV are detected in 0
       to 4.3% of pregnant women varying across geographic regions or origins.
       Passively transmitted maternal anti-HCV are detected in most of the
       new-born babies and persist during 6 to 18 months. The estimated risk of
       vertical transmission varies widely in the literature probably because
       of methodological considerations. But the detection of HCV-RNA in the
       blood of children has confirmed vertical transmission of HCV from mother
       to infant in mothers coinfected or not with human immunodeficiency virus
       type 1. In case of vertical transmission, some children develop an acute
       hepatitis or a chronic carrier state with or without chronic liver
       disease. In this case, the course of HCV RNA and transaminases might
       reflect the fluctuating viral replication. Some other children, infected
       at birth, seem to clear the HCV virus. The babies' HCV-antibodies are
       detected in some infected children but not in all. The follow up of
       HCV-seropositive pregnant women and their offsprings with more reliable
       methods should clarify the clinical importance, the rate of transmission
       and the factors which influence it.
 DE    English Abstract  Female  Hepatitis C/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION  Human
       Infant, Newborn  Maternal-Fetal Exchange  Pregnancy  Prenatal Exposure
       Delayed Effects  Prevalence  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW LITERATURE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

