Global Estimates Reveal 74,000 Children Born Annually with Hepatitis C

A recent comprehensive study has shed light on the global burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among children, estimating that approximately 74,000 children are born each year with HCV worldwide. Led by researchers from the National Institute for Health Research in the UK, the study highlights that around 23,000 of these children are still infected with HCV by age five. The research identified Pakistan and Nigeria as countries with the highest incidence rates, followed by China, Russia, and India, which together account for about half of all vertical HCV transmissions. This groundbreaking work, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, marks the first large-scale effort to produce country-specific estimates, previously only available for a few nations based on outdated data.

The study involved estimating the number of women aged 15-49 with HCV in each country and applying this to determine the likelihood of transmitting the virus during pregnancy, which is roughly 7% per birth. It also incorporated data on the natural clearance of the virus in children, revealing that approximately two-thirds of infected children tend to clear the infection before reaching age five.

Dr. Adam Trickey, the lead author, emphasized the importance of increased testing, especially during pregnancy, as an opportunity to identify and treat infected mothers and their children. Despite effective treatments being available since 2014, most guidelines do not recommend treating pregnant women due to limited safety data, but ongoing clinical trials show promising results with high cure rates and minimal side effects. The study's findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced screening and treatment strategies to prevent mother-to-child transmission, particularly in high-burden countries.

WHO estimates indicate that globally, about 50 million people live with hepatitis C, with approximately 240,000 deaths resulting from HCV-related liver diseases in 2022. The study advocates for global health efforts to improve testing, diagnosis, and linkage to care, especially given that HCV can often remain asymptomatic for years but lead to severe health consequences if untreated.