Lack of implementation of policies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and therapy on most affected populations, specifically infants, children, and adolescents, is responsible for continuance of this infection, a recent study found. A limited search was conducted of the relevant literature on 2 topics: 1) the impact of HCV on infants exposed by vertical transmission, and 2) the impact of HCV infection on infected children and adolescents. Among the findings:

• Young people, including women of childbearing age, infants, children, and adolescents, are being especially affected by HCV infection secondary to the intravenous drug use and opioid epidemic.
• Estimates of young populations are misleading because universal HCV screening had not been implemented.