Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  1999 Mar;2(1):109-115.

A Case of Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus in an Infant of a Mother Who had Hepatitis C during Pregnancy

• Oh SH
• Kim KH
• Yang ES
• Park SK
• Moon KR

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified as an important cause of posttransfusion hepatitis, but vertical transmission of chronic infected HCV RNA positive mothers has been documented in some cases. The reports of the risk of perinatal infection have been widely varied in the literature. The authors experienced one case of vertical transmission of HCV in an infant of a mother who had hepatitis C during pregnancy. At admission, HCV RNA (+), Ig G anti HCV (+) and Ig M anti HCV (+) were found in the mother Also at admission, HCV RNA (+), Ig G anti HCV (+), Ig M anti HCV (+), elevation of liver aminotransferase level and hepatosplenomegaly on ultrasonography were found in the baby on day 31. HCV RNA (-), Ig M anti HVC (-) and normal of liver aminotransferase level were noted on day 250 in the serum of the infant. We used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique to find a very small amount of HCV RNA in the serum. All the findings suggest vertical transmission of HCV RNA from mother to infant during 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

Keyword

Hepatitis C virus; Vertical transmission; Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

MeSH Terms

Hepacivirus*
Hepatitis C*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Infant*
Liver
Mothers*
Pregnancy*
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA
Ultrasonography
RNA