Testing for Hepatitis C in Pregnancy: the Time has Come for Routine Rather than Risk-based.

Overview

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to discuss the reasons for HCV testing during pregnancy and to review what is known about antiviral treatment during pregnancy. RECENT FINDINGS: Hepatitis C virus affects over 3 million persons in the United States and is one of the leading infectious causes of death. While HCV is most commonly transmitted via parenteral exposures, thus affecting people who inject drugs, it is also transmitted from mother-to-child. Due to an expanding opioid crisis, an increasing number of women of childbearing age are now infected, resulting in transmission to infants. Risk-based screening has never been proven effective and thus universal screening of pregnant women for HCV infection has been recommended. SUMMARY: Obstetricians may play a key role in the U.S. by implementing universal testing for HCV in pregnant women, thereby enhancing the health of mothers and identifying children at risk.