Birth Outcomes Among People with Hepatitis C in Pregnancy - Three U.S. States, 2018-2021

Abstract

Introduction: There are limited and conflicting data regarding the impact of hepatitis C in pregnancy on adverse birth outcomes.

Methods: Using the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Pregnant People and Infants Network (SET-NET), a large surveillance cohort, we describe birth outcomes among a cohort of people with HCV in pregnancy in total and by reported substance use.

Results: Among 1418 infants, 89% were born to people with reported substance use during pregnancy. The proportion born preterm was 20%, 13% were small-for-gestational age and 34% of term infants required intensive care.

Conclusions: Assessments of recent changes to recommendations for HCV screening in pregnancy should evaluate the impact on maternal access to care for both HCV treatment as well as comorbidities such as substance use disorder which may contribute to adverse birth outcomes.

Keywords: Adverse pregnancy outcomes; Hepatitis C; Preterm birth; Substance use.