SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING A TEACHING HOSPITAL OF ATARIA, NORTH INDIA

-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of viral hepatitis and hepatic dysfunction during pregnancy throughout the world. HCV infection leads to complications like premature labour, preterm delivery and maternal mortality. Virus may be transmitted vertically to neonates leading to neonatal hepatitis. The present study was done to estimate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women. Total of 2067 pregnant women were enrolled in the study whose serum sample was tested for anti-Hepatitis C virus antibody using rapid test and those found reactive were confirmed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 2067 pregnant women tested, 24 were found to be reactive by both rapid test and ELISA, hence the seroprevalence was 1.2%. Maximum seropositivity was seen in pregnant women of age group 26-30 years. Seropositivity was more among working pregnant women, belonging to rural areas and those who were poor and belonged to lower socio-economic class. All these findings were statistically significant. Amongst the risk factors studied, most of the seropositives gave history of previous surgery followed by history of dilatation and curettage. To conclude, it is strongly recommended that all pregnant women should be screened for anti-Hepatitis C virus antibodies in order to know their infection status and thus prevent adverse outcome of pregnancy and its vertical transmission to their neonates.