Maternal-infant transmission of HCV infection

To determine the incidence of HCV infection among infants born to mother at risk, we tested for HCV antibody 28 anti-HIV positive and 6 anti-HIV negative IVDU mothers (all without clinical evidence of liver disease) and their children followed for at least 8 months and up to 24 months after birth. HCV antibody was detected in 10 of 28 infants born to anti-HIV positive and in 3 of 6 infants born to anti-HIV negative mothers. Maternal HCV antibodies were lost within 3-6 months of age; however, in 3 children HCV antibody levels raised since the sixth month, and they were infected also with HIV showing signs and symptoms of immunodeficiency. In one of this ALT elevations were seen since 21 days after birth (456 U/l) with peaks at 4 and 6 months. Our data could favour the view that the infection of mothers by HIV had the potential for enhancing the risk of transmission of HCV to their newborns.