Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus in a Cohort of 2,447 HIV-Seronegative Pregnant Women: A 24-Month Prospective Study

Abstract

This long-term prospective study shows that, although vertical transmission from HIV-negative mothers occurs in 13% of cases, there is a high rate of spontaneous viral clearance (75%). High maternal viral load and mothers belonging to HCV risk categories were the only variables predictive of the vertical transmission.