To characterize trends in perinatal HCV exposure, testing, and treatment in Massachusetts and identify factors associated with improved testing practices.
Key Findings:
HCV prevalence among pregnant persons increased to 4.9 cases per 1000 live deliveries by 2019, indicating a significant public health concern.
Only 30.1% of exposed infants were appropriately tested for HCV under previous guidelines, highlighting a critical gap in care.
CDC now recommends RNA testing for infants exposed to HCV at ages 2 to 6 months to improve follow-up rates and ensure timely intervention.
Interpretation:
The study highlights significant gaps in HCV testing for perinatally exposed infants, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve testing rates and treatment access.
Limitations:
Study findings may not be generalizable beyond Massachusetts, limiting broader applicability.
Data limitations due to potential underreporting and lack of sociodemographic adjustments in previous studies may affect the robustness of conclusions.
Conclusion:
Improving HCV testing practices for perinatally exposed infants is crucial for achieving national HCV elimination goals by 2030, underscoring the need for effective public health strategies.
by Rachel L. Epstein, Sarah Munroe, Elizabeth A. Erdman, Amy Bettano, Megan R. Curtis, Laura White, Elisha M. Wachman, Anthony Osinski, Alexander Y. Walley, Benjamin P. Linas
The CDC has dropped routine recommendations for six childhood vaccines, shifting decisions to parents and doctors despite decades of evidence showing the shots prevented millions of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths.
