likelyhood of transmission mother to child

  When I became pregnant in 1996, I was informed I was Hep C positive. Likely Had it 5 - 7 years by then,
  I was told when my daughter was born she was fine. Then I was called by health canada
  to have her retested as those tests were not accurate because the blood was all mixed
  up.  What are her chances of contracting the disease from Me? She was born naturally
  with the help of the vaccuum. I to date have proper liver functions. (Whatever that means) and
  remain, I guess...symptom free. I am quite terrified. please help.
  I have no other health problems (that I am aware of)
  Thanx
  Kim
  PS Do have a requisition from the pediatrician to get it done next week.
  just need to know what I am up against.

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

_
Dear Kim:
I appreciate your question and the opportunity to talk about transmission of virus from mother to infant.  I can certainly appreciate how anxious you must be to get this situation resolved.  I also appreciate that this issue is a great source of tension for many individuals.  
Transmission of the virus from mother to infant is unusual but it is possible.  A number of series have been published and it appears that the risk of transmission is probably in the range to 2 to 5%.  The transmission takes place either prior to birth or at the time of birth.  The rate of transmission appears to be higher in women who also have HIV/AIDS but that certainly does not sound like the case with you.  As far as I know the route of delivery does not have an effect on the risk of transmission.  We have looked hard for the virus in breast milk and we have never been able to find it so we feel that breast-feeding is very likely to be safe.  
I do want to make a comment about your specific case.  If you have a positive hepatitis C antibody and normal liver enzymes there is some chance that you are not currently infected.  You will want to make sure you get a hepatitis C PCR (HCV RNA) test to confirm that you are infected.  About 10 to 15% of people exposed to hepatitis C do get rid of it on their own and many of these people still have positive hepatitis C antibody tests.  I suspect your physician has already done this.
I hope this information is helpful to you.  Good luck with your daughter