Gender specific medicine in liver diseases: A point of view

Table 5 Chronic hepatitis C during the pregnancy

Chronic hepatis C and pregnancy
Frequency of HCV MTCT is 5%-10%
Vertical transmission is the main cause of pediatric HCV infection
Factors increasing the risk of MTCT: amniocentesis, extended breaking of the membranes and elevated viral load in the mother
High levels of ALT in the previous year of pregnancy are linked with a higher MTCT rate
Signs of viral replications is maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells enhance vertical transmission
Breastfeeding and genotype are not linked to MTCT
Presence of HCV-HIV coinfection increases MTCT by 90%
The administration of combined therapy is not recommended during pregnancy

HCV: Hepatitis C virus; HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus; MTCT: Mother-to-child transmission; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase.