ArticleClinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America2026
Gaps in the Hepatitis C Prenatal and Postpartum Care Cascade: Rationale for Treatment in Pregnancy.
Article in Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have increased among younger populations, including pregnant people. While universal screening guidelines have improved case-finding, studies suggest low postpartum linkage-to-care rates. Better understanding of the peripartum HCV care cascade at the population level is needed to inform optimal management, including the role of treatment in pregnancy.
methodsA retrospective cohort study linking pregnant individuals with HCV test records to health administrative data in Ontario, Canada. We examined the HCV care continuum, including during subsequent pregnancies. We used Andersen-Gill models to examine predictors of missed opportunities for treatment, defined as pregnancies occurring before/in absence of treatment, and initiating treatment.
resultsFrom 2003 to 2021, we identified 42 797 pregnancies in 16 888 people who tested HCV antibody-positive between 1999 and 2021. Of antibody-positive individuals, 14 538 (86.1%) had RNA testing and 7457 (51.3%) tested RNA-positive. Treatment uptake was 1.1%, 2.5%, and 5.2% at 1, 2, and 5 years after RNA positivity. Ultimately, 3861 (51.8%) initiated treatment and 2277 (30.5%) demonstrated sustained virologic response. Among those with confirmed chronic HCV, 47.5% (n = 3025) experienced a missed opportunity for treatment, with 19.2% (n = 1221) having multiple missed opportunities. Numbers of pregnancies and diagnosis year pre-2012 were associated with higher likelihood of a missed opportunity for treatment, while diagnoses of substance use disorder, HIV, and chronic disease were associated with lower likelihood.
conclusionsDespite diagnosis, <10% initiated treatment within 5 years of RNA positivity and multiple pregnancies occurred before treatment, resulting in repeated exposures. Additional efforts will be required to ensure linkage-to-care and treatment either during pregnancy or postpartum.
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