Pregnancy complications associated with hepatitis C: data from a 2003-2005 Washington state birth cohort

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2008-07, Vol.199 (1), p.38.e1-38.e9
• Main Authors: Pergam, Steven A., MD, Wang, Chia C., MD, MS, Gardella, Carolyn M., MD, MPH, Sandison, Taylor G., MD, MPH, Phipps, Warren T., MD, Hawes, Stephen E., PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Body Mass Index; Cohort Studies; drug use; Female; Gestational Age; gestational diabetes; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - complications; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; pregnancy complications; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; United States; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.03.052

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on selected maternal and infant birth outcomes. Study Design This population-based cohort study using Washington state birth records from 2003 to 2005 compared a cohort of pregnant women identified as HCV positive from birth certificate data (n = 506) to randomly selected HCV-negative mothers (n = 2022) and drug-using HCV-negative mothers (n = 1439). Results Infants of HCV-positive mothers were more likely to be low birthweight (odds ratio [OR], 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24, 3.80), to be small for gestational age (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.00, 2.13), to need assisted ventilation (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.46, 3.85), and to require neonatal intensive car unit (NICU) admission (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.86, 4.55). HCV-positive mothers with excess weight gain also had a greater risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.04, 6.03). Compared with the drug-using cohort, NICU admission and the need for assisted ventilation remained associated with HCV. Conclusion HCV-positive pregnant women appear to be at risk for adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.