[Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in childhood].
We studied the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in childhood by determining HCV antibody (Ortho Diagnostic Systems, USA). Among patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, anti-HCV was positive in 8 (72.7%) out of 11 patients. On the other hand, only 1 (25.0%) out of 4 patients of the children with acute non-A, non-B hepatitis, and only 1 (20.0%) out of 5 with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis patients were positive for anti-HCV. Among the infants with non-A, non-B hepatitis, anti-HCV was positive in 3 (7.5%) out of 40 infants. To demonstrate mother-to-infant transmission of HCV, we examined 7 infants born to 4 anti-HCV positive mothers for their GPT values and anti-HCV. Liver dysfunction occurred in all the infants but one. And 1 infant was positive for anti-HCV. This infant with positive anti-HCV and liver dysfunction was considered to be a case of mother-to-infant transmission of HCV. And in the infants with liver dysfunction and negative anti-HCV, it was suggested that liver dysfunction occurred in association with HCV infection.
Nagata
I
I
Department of Pediatrics, Tottori University, School of Medicine, Yonago.
Shiraki
K
K
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies