Hepatitis C, chronic

B17.1

• Description
• Diagnostic criteria
• Referral

DESCRIPTION

A chronic inflammation of the liver caused by vertical (perinatal) transmission of Hepatitis C virus from an infected mother. The disease is mostly mild in childhood and in up to 25% the virus can be spontaneously cleared from age 2 up to 7 years.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

• Anti-HCV Elisa which detects IgG antibodies. Transplacental maternal IgG antibodies may persist up to age 18 months.
• HCV RNA (quantitative).
• HCV genotyping is only done if treatment is considered.

REFERRAL

All children with positive HCV RNA.