Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to pose a significant public health challenge, particularly as infection rates rise among reproductive-aged individuals, with the opioid epidemic contributing to a surge in new cases. The increase in HCV cases is also evident in pregnant women, where the rate of perinatal transmission has grown, though preventive measures like breastfeeding are not associated with increased transmission risk.

The introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies has revolutionized the treatment of HCV, with high efficacy and minimal side effects. This has led to the development of guidelines advocating for universal screening of pregnant women and early testing of infants exposed to HCV. Treatment protocols for children with HCV now focus on DAAs, which are FDA-approved for children over three years old, offering a high rate of sustained virologic response. However, barriers to eliminating pediatric HCV remain, including challenges with screening, treatment access, and insurance coverage. To achieve HCV elimination, researchers stress that comprehensive strategies must be developed to increase awareness, improve screening rates, and facilitate early treatment initiation, while reducing costs and expanding access to these life-saving therapies.

Reference: Ferreira J, Sheflin-Findling S. Update on Pediatric Hepatitis C Infection. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2025 Feb 28;27(1):18. doi: 10.1007/s11894-024-00955-3. PMID: 40019674; PMCID: PMC11870864.