Hepatitis C Virus Testing in Perinatally Exposed Children - Takeaways - MDSpire

Hepatitis C Virus Testing in Perinatally Exposed Children

  • 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

  • April 17, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    HCV prevalence among pregnant persons increased to 4.9 cases per 1000 live deliveries in 2019, with perinatal infection occurring in about 8% of exposed infants.

  • 2

    The CDC recommends HCV RNA testing for infants exposed to HCV between ages 2 and 6 months to improve follow-up and testing rates.

  • 3

    Only an estimated 30.1% of exposed infants were appropriately tested for HCV, primarily due to loss to follow-up.

  • 4

    The Massachusetts Public Health Data Warehouse was utilized to analyze trends in perinatal HCV exposure, testing, and treatment from 2011 to 2022.

  • 5

    Factors associated with improved HCV testing include birthing parents' healthcare access for HCV, HIV, or substance use care.

Original Source(s)

Hepatitis C Virus Testing in Perinatally Exposed Children

  • 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

  • April 17, 2026

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