Infant Hepatitis C Concerns

[worried grandma]

My son's girlfriend has Hepatitis C.  My grandson was born last June 2006.  Her doctor said it was okay for her to breastfeed and she did.  My grandson just had his first Hepatitis C test and they say he is testing positive for the Hepatitis C antibody.  We are extremely worried.  He is only 22 pounds and does not have an ounce of fat on him.  What is going to happen to him?  There is no cure, is there?  Will he get progressively worse?  Is it possible he contracted it because of the breastfeeding?  Or was it through birth?  Can he lead a normal life?  

[patra_]

This is an old thread which hasnt been used since 2007.

Please copy your post, go to the top of the Forums page, select the green button at the top which says 'Ask a Question' and paste your question there so more people see it and you have a better chance of responses.

Good luck.  Pat

[madamhooper]

Hello.. I'm a Hep C positive mother of a two year old. I was advised not to breastfeed (Dr. said it was a 12%-14% chance she would contract) and did not take that chance. To our advantage we got her tested at 18 months and she tested negative. I have been very careful to not let her get a hold of toothbrushes, nor share nail clippers or even get blood on anything so her nor my husband contracts it. As of today I'm scared to death; I figured the day would come where I would get a scare before I get treatment this upcoming year. She bit my butt so hard, through my pants that it bled. I washed her mouth, immediately out w toothbrush, and was wondering if anyone's had the same experience and could give my advice/input. I was so grateful she tested positive.. I guess I'm fishing for relief.

[meki]

"As far as the benefits of breast feeding, that is questionable at this point IMO. Most peoples diets are pretty bad. That's not being critical or judgemental, just take a look around at the shape most people are in or look at the line at the fast food joints. Doctors pushed formulas way back when until they started to get 99 phone calls from each patient a day saying the formula wasn't agreeing with the baby,,,then all of a sudden the doctors went back to the "oh lets do the natural thing and breast feed." Yeah the women stopped driving the doctors crazy, so the doctors tell everyone breast feeding is great now. Yes it's great, I agree, IF the woman is healthy and eats properly it has advantages, but most people or Americans I should say do not eat properly.  "


Uhm.... benefits - even of the worst fed American outweigh formula.

Sad but true - the only thing that is bad on breastfeeding is/are drugs.

The human body makes some amazing things.

I don't know what I would do if I had known I was HCV Pos before I breast fed.

But I'm a very strong supporter for breastfeeding. AND I know that there is a very SMALL chance that it could be passed.

BUT --- NO ONE HAS EVER PROVEN IT HAS BEEN PASSED.

So I'd really have to decide.

It has been proven - the benefits of breast milk. PROVEN.

But HCV through breastmilk has not.

So I'd have to weigh the options - if I knew. I still think I personally would have breast fed.

Just my humble opinion.

Much hope for the baby in question at the begining of this post.

[Tater_ToT]

I found some helpful links for you:

Children

[Tater_ToT]

You're cracking me up...LoL.. & I know it's not funny.... I can tell you are certainly passionate about this... (& I respect that)... & I Luv you examples...

You are actually starting to make sense to me (Must be wearing me down...LoL)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The: "More studies are needed to find out if these children will have problems from the infection as they grow older."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heck I didn't write that... the dang CDC did (although personally I have my doubts about some of the stuff they say)...

I mean lots of stuff they say is almost contradictory ..
so that tells me that they don't really know... they can only accumulate data as it progresses... & speculate until more data comes in to prove differently.. then they'll change it!

Sooo, I am assuming that "THAT" particular sentence means... they don't know yet... because the children born to HCV positive mothers aren't old enough yet... meaning there is NOT enough of them that have grown up to be 20 or 30 years old yet to accumulate enough data....

I have only known one person so far in here with that scenario... his name was snooks

That's also like there were so FEW of us to be BLESSED with the combo 1a & 1b genotype... I think there have only been 4 or 5 of us in here... just not enough data!

I could ponder this stuff all day... about like I ponder WHY I got so fat post treatment especially now that I know nothing is wrong with my thyroid, & I am not diabetic...

Well...something made me fat, & I eat less than ever & I sure didn't "O D" on twinkies either...

You really have to look at this as being on the cutting edge...
we are ALL Guinea Pigs Of Some sort...
One Day they will come up with new treatment, & collect enough DATA... & look back & say.. my gosh... what did we do when we poisoned all these folks with interferon ... but are we not supposed to treat with the only known drugs that work.. just because of the RISK..???

Maybe we should all just take that dang Colloidal Silver C*R*A*P instead & Risk NOT Getting Cured either! (yea Right... Not Me)

So see all of this is a double edged sword!

So I definitely see your points... I just don't have the answers... & I guess all the scientist don't have all the answers yet either... & If  "If's" & "But's" were "Candy" & "Nut's"... well then I guess we'd have Christmas every day then... LoL

Frustrating I know... but I do admire your passion!
:)

[Myown]

"More studies are needed to find out if these children will have problems from the infection as they grow older."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How much clearer does it have to be? You posted the above not me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You quoted me:
I really don't understand why it would be so difficult for a woman to not breast feed and avoid getting pregnant until she is svr.}

and then you said:
Ummm.... because she May NOT KNOW that she has HCV... they do NOT routinely test for it!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you read my posts, that statement I made was directed to the women who have hep c and KNOW they have it. These are the ones who are being told by their doctors its OKAY to breast feed. Of course the ones who aren't aware they have hep would breast feed if they so choose.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes life has risks but this is differnet. I am waiting for some smart azz to say why did you get married you could have got hit by a car on the way to the ceremony.

Scientists develope vaccines for a reason, don't they? Why? To keep us from being at risk. End of story. I rest my case. I'm not answering any more posts in this thread.

Btw if a guy is coughing his head off next to you while you are out having dinner somewhere and you find out he has TB do you remain seated next to him because life has risks or do you get out of there? I guess most people would stay seated because life has risks and also as to not offend the guy.

[Myown]

I know the virus has been found in body fluids other than blood, but there are very few (if any) documented cases of transmission other than thru blood. Up until recently sharing tooth brushes was only a theoretical risk. There are documented cases now, but not many.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Very few if any documented cases other than thu blood" you say.  Who would want to risk becoming a member of 'the few?" And again it all goes back to the "what if" EVERYONE on the planet was tested and we did find there were many that have contracted thru body fluids? And the statement you made about the toothbrushes and how things have changed only proves my point as far as I am concerned.

I wonder sometimes why we still see women letting their little children wander off in the department store by themselves while they shop. Is it because we only hear once every few months or so that "one" child is abducted from a mall-so to some women the risk is small,so no big deal if the women lets go of the hand of a 3 year old? Now I am not saying in any way that a hep infected women fall into the category of the 'type' of women who is more concerned with picking out her Coach Legacy Signature handbag than the safety of her child ,so please don't misinterpret what I am saying, but I do wonder if some women think the 'risk is small' for their child to be abducted so they feel fine about concentrating on the clothing rack more than their child. I guess in one way the women are correct as far as the odds because  in comparison to how many children are at malls shopping with their mothers and how many are actually abducted, the risk IS small so its okay for the mothers to take their eyes off their children for a minute? Not in my book. Just trying to make my point, thou I may not have, sometimes I think I'm the only one that understands my point, so if I didn't make any sense to you it wouldn't surprise me.

You asked if I think mothers with hep c should have children? If they are aware they have the virus I do not think its fair to take the risk, no matter how small. Doctors IMO should test everyone and advise not to get pregnant unless they are svr and absolutely no breast feeding for those who did get pregnant not knowing they had hep c at the time of getting pregnant.

I know for some my opinion might sound cold, but if anyone tries to listen to my heart I am saying this out of compassion. I hate to see anyone suffer especially children and if it could have been prevented its even harder for me to watch or hear about.

I hope I didn't offend you or anybody else. This is how I feel, it's just my opinion and I sometimes scratch my head in wonder when someone asks me my opinion and I share it and they get disturbed.This happens to me alot. I'm not the type that can be loved by all but for those who do accept me for who I am, for this I am grateful because I know I'm not exactly everyones cup of tea.

Take care.

[Tater_ToT]

worried grandma

{So you are saying that maybe when he turns 18 months or 24 months, the Hepatitis C antibody could be gone from his system?}

There is a good "Possibility" ... at least it gives you something to be hopeful for!

I can certainly understand your concerns for your grandson, I love my little grandson more than life itself!  

I would definitely keep following up on it... the test you'll need is a "quantitative"  PCR


Here's is what I found over at the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/faq.htm#1c

**

Should pregnant women be routinely tested for anti-HCV?

No. Pregnant women have no greater risk of being infected with HCV then non-pregnant women. If pregnant women have risk factors for hepatitis C, they should be tested for anti-HCV.


**

What is the risk that HCV infected women will spread HCV to their newborn infants?

About 4 out of every 100 infants born to HCV infected women become infected. This occurs at the time of birth, and there is no treatment that can prevent this from happening. Most infants infected with HCV at the time of birth have no symptoms and do well during childhood. More studies are needed to find out if these children will have problems from the infection as they grow older.

**

Should a woman with hepatitis C be advised against breast-feeding?

No. There is no evidence that breast-feeding spreads HCV.
HCV-positive mothers should consider abstaining from breast-feeding if their nipples are cracked or bleeding.

**

When should babies born to mothers with hepatitis C be tested to see if they were infected at birth?

Children should not be tested for anti-HCV before 18 months of age as anti-HCV from the mother might last until this age. If diagnosis is desired prior to 18 months of age, testing for HCV RNA could be performed at or after an infant's first well-child visit at age 1-2 months. HCV RNA testing should then be repeated at a subsequent visit independent of the initial HCV RNA test result.

**


My Own
{ I really don't understand why it would be so difficult for a woman to not breast feed and avoid getting pregnant until she is svr.}

Ummm.... because she May NOT KNOW that she has HCV... they do NOT routinely test for it!
:)

[Myown]

Elaine I would never tell you that you shouldn't have had Nick. I know he is a wonderful son and he is blessed to have you as his mother. I am against abortion so I would never tell someone to have an abortion even if the doctor told them the baby was going to have health problems. I feel the most sad for those who have contracted hep c thru blood products as Nick has. That is heartbreaking to me. Because there is so much with hep c that we still don't know and also because information changes all the time concerning the virus, my point is its best to not take risks such as breast feeding especially because the virus has been found in milk. I really don't understand why it would be so difficult for a woman to not breast feed and avoid getting pregnant until she is svr.

But Elaine I know you love Nick. We all do from what you have told us about him.

Have a nice weekend.

[CockSparrow]

The reason why doctors advise to breast feed when the mother is HCV positive is that the benefits of doing so, far outway the very small risk.

HCV is a BBV and requires infected blood finding an entry point into anothers blood stream. Even if HCV can be transmitted thru other body fluids (this is doubtful) it would still require an entry point into the blood stream.
If HCV was easily transmitted thru body fluids, half the planet would have it.
CS

[Myown]

If HCV was easily transmitted thru body fluids, half the planet would have it.
CS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well when half the planet is tested maybe we will find out that they do have it, then what??  Do we then say "oh maybe it is easier to contract than we thought its was?

The above article I posted does mention it has been found in breast milk. Should woman take the risk of breast feeding knowing this just becasue the odds of contracting it may be low?

As far as the benefits of breast feeding, that is questionable at this point IMO. Most peoples diets are pretty bad. That's not being critical or judgemental, just take a look around at the shape most people are in or look at the line at the fast food joints. Doctors pushed formulas way back when until they started to get 99 phone calls from each patient a day saying the formula wasn't agreeing with the baby,,,then all of a sudden the doctors went back to the "oh lets do the natural thing and breast feed." Yeah the women stopped driving the doctors crazy, so the doctors tell everyone breast feeding is great now. Yes it's great, I agree, IF the woman is healthy and eats properly it has advantages, but most people or Americans I should say do not eat properly.  

[Tater_ToT]

I can certainly understand the point you are making... but ya know...this sparked another Hummmmmmm...

See if the baby bites his Lip... the infant is bleeding OUT.. Not IN

Point being, & The reason why I go hummm is...

I contracted HCV in 82 with a blood transfusion I received when I lost a baby in my last trimester  ... My Live Birth Children where born in 85 & 88...

I gave birth Vaginally to both my children.. (now 19 & 21 years old) & not only did I breastfeed.. but  (not knowing I had HCV at the time & Due To High Risk Pregnancy's & Delivery) my girls had INTERNAL Fetal Monitors attached to their scalp while still in my bloody birth canal... (& If That wouldn't be bleeding IN... I don't know what else would)...

That monitor is kind of like a needle stick... more like a CORK Screw that they twist into the infants skin & attach to the scalp .... I had both my girls & everyone I had ever had an intimate relationship with tested in 2003... & EVERYONE came up NEGATIVE....

I am sure during that time that I have also shared razors with everyone in my family... & I know I have certainly had sex during "that time of the month" at some point during that 24 year time frame....

I also know of several major accidents that I have had over the years that involved lots of blood & their assistance...

Once I almost cut my lip off with a lawn mower.. & once I have almost cut one of my fingers off with a hatchet, another time I cracked my head open that required 34 stitches ... & another time I cut a different finger down to the bone!

Bottom line is... surely if it where that easily contracted, then someone in my family would have OBVIOUSLY obtained it... & everyone has come up undetectable... so circumstances MUST really have to be just right!

I mean if it where that easy... then why wouldn't we get infected by a mosquito bite... or when my Green Bird bite the stew & blood out of me & then turned around & bit the blood out of one of my kids (within seconds)..????

I don't know.... I guess I'll just sit here & Go Hummmm!!!

In the meantime, I certainly hope that the baby will not have an actual viral load when re-tested... & chances are GOOD that it will NOT...

It could just be the mothers antibodies....  but it is definitely something that should be monitored... but also remember that it progresses differently in all individuals... so even if the baby should actually have it... it is NOT a death sentence....

I had it 23 years before discovering it (much less ever hearing about it)... I didn't have any significant liver damage, & my treatment was OPTIONAL Both Times!

I just thank my higher power that I was never an alcoholic, or surely I would have sustained significant damage...

Soooo, also a toddler is certainly not gonna be drinking booze & all these other BAD things that could possibly lead to more rapid progression.. I just feel like the grandma can put her mind at ease & realize that there is plenty of time to follow up with their health care provider... & that it is too soon to make a judgement call... & Even IF worse came to worse... again.. it is NOT a death sentence... So rather than Panic..Find Out MORE First & allow TIME to determine IF it is the antibodies or not... Then Go From There!
:)

[Tater_ToT]

My oldest is 22 yrs old.. not 21 (My Bad)
:)

[Myown]

Yes, lets hope this baby will not be infected, but I also hope that someone else who might be thinking about breast feeding will weigh it all. "Bleeding out" I really don't know what to say about that because I don't understand how someone can say that,,,- an open cut is an open cut in my book, plus doctors have already said that if the mother has cracked nipples there is a risk. My point is that if the odds were even as low as 1% for a baby to contract it during breast feeding that would be enough for me to say "no way I wouldn't put a child in that situation." My thoughts are why would anyone take that chance and especially with a disease that doctors still don't have all the answers and at anytime they can say they were wrong. Others can and do say "I totally disagree with Myown and as far as I am concerned, that's fine with me- to each his own. I'm not a card carrying member of the ACLU so I do believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am not directing my comments about breast feeding to this woman that opened the thread. I am making a general statement.  As you and others have said none of your children contracted it, and if a person feels confident with their decision because of the doctor giving them the green light and because others have shared personal experiences that worked out fine, then they should feel confident with their choice I guess. But there are mothers whose children have contracted it and they let us know and IMO that shouldn't be kept secret as to not cause panic or whatever the reason. Some may be contemplating breast feeding and everything should be in the open so that they themselves can make their own choice.

Now as far you and others saying the babies are born with the antibodies. I would appreciate if you or someone could explain that to me- really- because I honestly don't understand that and would like to know. The reason I say this is because I do know that a womans blood never enters a baby while in the womb. Many of us don't even have the same blood type as our mothers. So how does the baby wind up with hep c antibodies if its only blood to blood? Is it during delivery this happens? It might be a stupid question but I really don't know the answer and would like to know.

PS I do agree with you that the poster's grandchild will be fine. As you stated this isn't a death sentence, plus I'm sure *real cure* will be here hopefully soon.

[Myown]

I know you mean well. And I respect your opinion, but,,, (saw that comming I bet) .. When newer poster asks such a question, I would have handled it as above by others. First responses from me is: A. HepC is blood borne, not other body fluids. B. There are others with first hand expierience that will tell there side. C. talk to a good hepitologist if needed D. Do not blame the mother.
People come here for support more than criticisms.-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Livindabest,
You're absolutely right I do mean well and I'm sure you do too. As far as supporting the poster- my opening line was to her, which was supportive. The rest of my thread was directed to the forum. If pointing to an article which states that hep c IS found in breast milk is non- supportive thats your opinion and whoever elses opinion who may agree with you, including the woman that opened the thread. Making a statement that a baby can bite a mother and possibly contract the virus is truth and should not be viewed as negative or non supportive. People need to question their doctors more when doctors make '"Ridiculous" statements such as "only if your nipples are cracked will you put the baby at risk." I would have flipped out in the office if a doctor told me that and then expected my answer to be "Oh okay doctor that sounds like I can breast feed with no problem then and just keep my fingers crossed I don't bleed a microscopic drop. I'm sure I'll see it doctor I have x-ray vision just like superman." I know that sounds sarcastic but I think everyone should be more concerned about the 'ridiculous' than the 'sarcastic.'

[peekawho]

How do you almost cut your lip off with a lawnmower?  That's what I'd like to know, b/c I have an almost impossible mental image...

[Tater_ToT]

LoL... I understand you COMPLETELY... & I also KNOW that you are not directing this towards the poster... that this is just generalized discussion!

Okay, first of all.. had I of KNOWN what hepatitis C was... (much less that I had it)..... as paranoid as I am... I might not of done it either....but not having ever even heard of hep c... it wasn't a concern... That was then, this is NOW!
So I really Do Understand!

Okay, the rest of this stuff gets a little technical & tricky & I probably don't have the knowledge to explain it correctly!

It's my understanding that antibodies are transferred to the FETUS during the third trimester... meaning ones doesn't even have to breastfeed for that transfer to take place... that it would regardless.. they actually transfer thru the umbilical cord... the antibodies do cross thru the placenta... (Please somebody correct me if I am wrong)... but it's a natural process & what gives & helps the babies their initial immune system ...

Ya know, I am really Over my head on the technicalities of this, but I am trying..LoL...

It makes more sense actually that this is happening when the child is a FETUS, vs thru breastfeeding since the virus is not known to be in other bodily fluids..

But rmember.. we are talking ANTIBODIES... not full blown Active Virus with Viral Load... just like even though we get SVR... we'll ALWAYS Carry the antibodies... (so if I were to get get pregnant right now) FIGURATIVELY Speaking... & lets say I am SVR... & have been for 5 years even.... then that baby is STILL going to get my antibodies.. even If I don't breastfeed!

Does that make sense??? LoL

[zazza]

I got hepatitis C in 1981. My 3 children were born between 1984 and 1995. The last one with a C-section. All 3 were breastfed, for a period ranging from 14 months to 21 months. The oldest one bit my nipple once so blood came through the cut. None of them caught hep C. The doctors told me hep C is not contagious through breastfeeding. I would brestfeed again today, it is such a wonderful experience for both the mother and the child.

And yes, I remember being told not to test my youngest for hep C until he was at least 18 months, because before that he would carry my antibodies.

[Myown]

Thanks Tator our posts crossed. Now we are all waiting for the lawnmower story.LOL

[Tater_ToT]

Ya'll would post while I am struggling Typing...LoL


peekawho...
LMAO... ummm errr, well it was pretty STUPID how I did it!

I used to watch my Grandpa work on mowers when I was younger... & I remembered before when the string broke... that he'd just wrap the cord back around the fly wheel.. & pull it to make it Crank.....

Well stupid me... didn't realize that you have to Bolt the fly wheel back down , or put the cover back on, to keep it from spinning Off when you yank it..

I wrapped the cord around that sucker & yanked it... nothing happened... did it again.. same thing..... Third try I pulled with all my might & that metal doo hickey came flying off & hit me right square in the teeth... I just KNEW it knocked my teeth out... It knocked me to the ground it hurt so bad... Blood was pouring EVERY WHERE... & I couldn't touch it due to the grease on my hands... my daughter started screaming... (she was little bitty knocker) & lead me to the sink & rinsed me so we could see what was happening... I split my entire top lip all the way into... or in half... it was hanging there like a flap... she had to hold a wash cloth to my lip while I drove a stick shift to the hospital...

But ya know.. the scariest part of it was.... The 3 fingered surgeon that sewed me up... if you don't align the pick part of you lip just perfectly.. you'll have a heck of a scar & look like you have cleft lip ... I know I looked like a fool & made him uncomfortable with my concerns about that... but the 3 fingered surgeon did a mighty fine job...LoL

Myown...
Haa... I am glad you found the answer.... I should have did a google so I could have explained it better!
:)

[Tater_ToT]

I bet ya'll thought I was sticking my face ubder there with the blades going....LoL

I probably wouldn't of had a face If I had of...LoL
Lets hope I never do anything quite that stupid...LoL

[Myown]

OMG 3 FINGERED SURGEON!!!!! You must have wanted to run out. Just picture me, Ms Paranoid, seeing a 3 fingered surgeon  come towards me. But he probably is better than the surgeons who have all their fingers because he had to work that much harder to prove himself, with that said, I am not a risk taker as you well know LOL so I will stick with the surgeons who have all their fingers.

And yes I did think you may have turned the mower over and looked a little to closely.LOL So glad to hear everything worked out though.

See ya later.

[Myown]

Yes seeing teeth is a good time to stop, but mothers seem to breast feed for a long time these days,,,some kids look like they are old enough to have a newspaper route before the mother decides to stop.

[Tater_ToT]

Teeth= LoL... Well Said.... I Agree... but many would certainly disagree with us on that issue!
:)