[Clinical aspects of hepatitis C in women of child-bearing age]

Orv Hetil. 2008 Jun 1;149(22):1017-21. doi: 10.1556/OH.2008.28394.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

It is difficult to define the optimal timing of antiviral treatment in women infected with viral hepatitis C, who have child-bearing potential. Antiviral treatment is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy and the breast-feeding period. Data are conflicting about the question of treatment with modern drugs (peginterferon and ribavirin) before or after pregnancy. The risk of vertical transmission from mother to child is estimated about 5%. The mother's viraemia seems to be the main transmission factor. There is a worse prognosis in nulliparous and postmenopausal women in the natural history of viral hepatitis C. Poor outcome in gestational age, maturity and Apgar score were not associated with hepatitis C virus infection. Combined treatment has frequent gynecological and other side effects. The timing of antiviral therapy in women in child-bearing period is recommended individually.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Contraindications
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
  • Prognosis
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Viremia / complications

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2a