Study Estimates Global Burden of Vertically Transmitted Hepatitis C
TUESDAY, Aug. 5, 2025 -- Each year, nearly 74,000 children are born with hepatitis C virus (HCV) around the world, according to a study published online July 23 in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Adam Trickey, Ph.D., from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and colleagues estimated the annual number of vertically transmitted HCV infections and how many cases remain at 5 years of age globally and regionally.
The researchers found that the estimated annual global number of new HCV infections occurring through vertical transmission was 73,862, with the most infections seen in Southern Asia (21,245), Western Africa (16,482), and Eastern Africa (8,182). At the country level, Pakistan (16,350) and Nigeria (8,483) had the largest burden and together accounted for about one-third of new infections. Estimates project that 23,120 of these children would be alive and still have HCV at age 5 years.
"These statistics are important for policymakers and health care planners as they uncover a major source of new HCV infections that has so far been understudied," Trickey said in a statement. "There are also implications for service delivery, as pregnancy is often a time where it is possible for health care providers to engage with people who they might not usually be in contact with, offering a chance to screen them for HCV and connect them to care if necessary."
Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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