The low likelihood for detection and confirmation of true HCV transmission prior to 10 months of age could challenge the early initiation of HCV screening of infants exposed to maternal HCV infection but may affect the parental need for early monitoring and counseling. This according to a study of 142 mothers with chronic HCV infection and their infants. Researchers found:

• The majority of mothers used IV drugs, had carried to term, and delivered vaginally.

• A high proportion of infants had ≥ 1 positive anti-HCV antibody assay without viremia.

• True HCV infection and intermittent viremia were recorded in 3.5% and 1.4% of infants, respectively.

• Initiation of HCV testing after 10 months of age was associated with a significant decline in the probability of obtaining a positive HCV-antibody of maternal origin.

Citation: Bal A, Petrova A. Single clinical practice's report of testing initiation, antibody clearance, and transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in infants of chronically HCV-infected mothers. [Published online ahead of print February 7, 2016]. Open Forum Infect Dis. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofw021.