Three Broad Modalities in the Natural History of Vertically Acquired Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Abstract

We confirm the low prevalence of HCV-related clinical signs and symptoms among vertically infected children in the first 10-15 years of life. Approximately 20% of children appear to clear the infection, 50% have evidence of chronic asymptomatic infection, and 30% have evidence of chronic active infection. Although viremia and abnormal ALT levels were associated with hepatomegaly, further investigation is necessary before these markers can be used in the clinical management of HCV infection in children.