Introduction
The hepatitis C virus (Hep C or HCV) is the causative agent of hepatitis C disease. It spreads through direct contact with an infected material or an infected person. Direct contact with an infected person includes kissing, sexual relations, etc., and with an infected material means an infected needle, razor, etc. It is more common in adults than in children. Hepatitis C is often a silent disease, but a deadly one.
Can Hepatitis C Spread From a Pregnant Mother to the Child?
The probability that hepatitis C is transferred from a pregnant mother to the child is less. This can be because the fetus’ immune system may destroy the viruses on its own. Recent research shows that three to fifteen percent of pregnant mothers have had babies with the disease. Even if the pregnant mother is aware that she has the disease, experts do not recommend testing the newborn for the condition. This is due to the fact that there is a possibility that antibodies can be transferred to the child even through breastfeeding, and the initial test for hepatitis C is an antibody test. Antibodies are the proteins that the body’s immune system makes in response to a foreign body that enters the host.
What to Do if a Pregnant Mother Is Diagnosed With Hepatitis C?
At present, there are no medicines that are safe to use during pregnancy for hepatitis C. Moreover, effective methods or medicines to prevent the passing of the disease to the fetus in the womb is also yet to be discovered. Hence, only supportive care is possible for a pregnant woman infected with hepatitis C. Proper care and rest should be taken to prevent further complications like preterm labor. Research shows that only 4 in 100 pregnant ladies are shown to transfer the antibodies to their babies. The risk is usually associated with how much of the virus is present in the mother’s body, and the presence of any other systemic conditions or infections like HIV in the mother. Antiviral medications can be started post-delivery only after stopping breastfeeding. It is unclear whether the antibodies are passed to the baby through breast milk.
Newborns are not usually tested for the condition, yet medications can be given according to their symptoms if required. The baby’s immune system is generally capable to clear any antibodies that enter his body. Supportive care can be given for the symptoms exhibited. Long-term care will be required to prevent complications. Breastfeeding mothers can continue it if they are not taking any antiviral drugs or pregnancy-unsafe drugs.
What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C in Children?
The knowledge about hepatitis C in children is lesser known when compared to adults. This is because children are lesser affected by the disease. Although the virus can be detected in blood within one to three weeks after exposure to the infection, eighty percent of the people remain asymptomatic. About 50 days post-exposure to the infection, the liver injury will begin, though the patient will still be asymptomatic (without exhibiting symptoms). In 15 % of the population affected by hepatitis C, the body itself clears the virus. In the remaining population, it can cause liver damage and lead to a chronic condition or disease. The symptoms that are often shown in infants and children include,
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Tiredness.
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Loss of appetite.
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Weight loss.
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Fussiness for unexplained reasons.
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Dark-colored urine.
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Abdominal pain.
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Loose, light-colored stools.
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Vomiting.
How Is Hepatitis C Diagnosed in Infants and Children?
A good case history will be taken by the pediatrician. It can include questions regarding the symptoms shown by the child or if anyone in the family has the condition, any medical history, and risk factors that the child is vulnerable to (like comorbidity, other infections, etc.) related to the disease. A physical examination can include checking for hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), or jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin). The tests that may be done can include:
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Blood Tests: These are done to check antibodies for hepatitis C. It can also include tests for checking the presence of any genetic material of the virus.
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Liver Biopsy: It includes taking a sample of the liver tissue for examination.
Infants less than eighteen months are generally not tested for the disease, but rather treated symptomatically if they show any symptoms.
What Are the Treatment Options for Hepatitis C in Children?
The immune system usually clears the virus from the body in infants less than eighteen months to two years of age. So in the first two years, the treatment usually includes regular monitoring by the child’s doctor or a pediatric hepatologist in particular. The baby’s liver growth and functions will be monitored regularly. If the baby’s immune system does not clear the virus even after three years of age, specific treatments can be started depending on the severity of the condition and the age of the child. Direct-acting anti-viral drugs will be suggested by the child’s doctor. In very rare cases, the child may not respond to the treatment, requiring even a liver transplant.
Do Children Get Better With Hepatitis C Treatment?
About ninety percent of the children usually get better with hepatitis C treatment. As a matter of fact, 90 to 95 % of the children will not have the viral load in their blood after twelve weeks of treatment. Children can even have the capacity to clear viral antibodies until seven years of age. They can continue with a normal life, that is healthy and active, provided they do not consume alcoholic drinks.
Conclusion
Hepatitis C can be directly transferred from an infected person or material. The transmission can also occur from a pregnant mother to the child in her womb, though it is rare. The child’s immunity is generally capable of clearing the viral antibodies, even if they are born with them. Hence, children under two years are usually not tested for the condition. They are usually given supportive treatment to prevent further complications if they show any symptoms.
