Factors Associated With Perinatal Hepatitis C Screening Among Exposed Children: 2016–2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children perinatally exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) should be screened for infection, yet testing rates are low. Clinical perinatal HCV testing recommendations vary and may contribute to poor completion. This study examines pediatric care factors associated with perinatal HCV testing completion. METHODS A cohort of people living with HCV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who delivered a live birth in 2016 to 2020 and their children were followed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The association of completion of HCV screening with pregnant/postpartum person demographics, pediatric care factors, and testing policy were retrospectively explored. χ2 and multivariable logistic regressions were used. RESULTS HCV-positive pregnant people gave birth to 457 children of whom 307 (67.2%) were tested for HCV according to recommendations and 79 (17.2%) were inadequately tested. Children were more likely to be tested if born to a pregnant person with HIV coinfection (P = .007), if they were always on schedule for vaccinations (P < .001), and if they attended the 18-month well visit (P < .001). Completion rates varied significantly by pediatrician's testing policy: 90.9% tested if the policy was for 2 months, 79.6% if 2 to 12 months, 61.9% if 12 months, and 58.5% if 18 months of age (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Timing of perinatal HCV testing policies was significantly associated with testing completion rates. Testing at 2 months was associated with far better HCV testing completion than other strategies, regardless of birthing person and pediatrician factors. These findings suggest routine HCV testing of children perinatally exposed to HCV is best achieved in the first year of life.