Aa
Kids and HepC
Many Kids With Hepatitis C Are Missed
Published: 5/2/10, 6:00 AM EDT
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
SUNDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) -- Many children with hepatitis C go undiagnosed and untreated, which can lead to severe liver damage later in life, a new study warns.
Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine noted that national data shows that between 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent of children in the United States are infected with hepatitis C. Based on that data, they thought they would find about 12,155 cases of pediatric infection in Florida, yet only 1,755 cases were identified, a mere 14.4 percent of the expected number of cases.
"Our study showed a lack of adequate identification of hepatitis C virus infection in children that could be widespread throughout the nation," said lead researcher Dr. Aymin Delgado-Borrego, a pediatric gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics.
Hepatitis C is like a "ticking bomb," she said. "It seems harmless until it explodes."
Most children and adults infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms or only nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue or abdominal pain, Delgado-Borrego said.
She planned to present the findings Sunday at the Digestive Disease Week conference in New Orleans.
Delgado-Borrego chose Florida for the study because it is one of the few states that requires all cases of the infection to be reported to the local health department.
"Not only was there a lack of proper identification, but among the children that have been identified the percentage of those receiving medical care is extremely and unacceptably low," she said.
Based on these data, Delgado-Borrego's group found only about 1.2 percent of children with hepatitis C were receiving treatment by a pediatric hepatologist.
Most young children get the infection from their mothers while in the womb. That accounts for about 60 percent of the infections in young children, Delgado-Borrego said. Teenagers can get it through IV drug use and other substance abuse, she added.
So why are so many kids missed? According to Delgado-Borrego, there's a widespread lack of awareness of the condition and adequate screening is not often done. Moreover, children are too often not referred to treatment.
"Primary care doctors should screen all children who are at risk for hepatitis C infection, such as those whose mothers are infected," Delgado-Borrego said.
In addition, infected children should be referred to specialists, she added.
"Early identification of pediatric hepatitis C infection would likely help us cure the infection in over 50 percent of children that currently have it," Delgado-Borrego pointed out. "This would save children from liver damage as well as possible liver failure, liver cancer and even early death," she added.
Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University, said that, "this is a pretty shocking study."
Siegel said early diagnosis of hepatitis C is very important, especially in children. "Because if kids have it they have a lifetime of exposure to it, so the chances of damage to the liver is very high," he explained.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation, Siegel noted.
More information
For more information on hepatitis C, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Published: 5/2/10, 6:00 AM EDT
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
SUNDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) -- Many children with hepatitis C go undiagnosed and untreated, which can lead to severe liver damage later in life, a new study warns.
Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine noted that national data shows that between 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent of children in the United States are infected with hepatitis C. Based on that data, they thought they would find about 12,155 cases of pediatric infection in Florida, yet only 1,755 cases were identified, a mere 14.4 percent of the expected number of cases.
"Our study showed a lack of adequate identification of hepatitis C virus infection in children that could be widespread throughout the nation," said lead researcher Dr. Aymin Delgado-Borrego, a pediatric gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics.
Hepatitis C is like a "ticking bomb," she said. "It seems harmless until it explodes."
Most children and adults infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms or only nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue or abdominal pain, Delgado-Borrego said.
She planned to present the findings Sunday at the Digestive Disease Week conference in New Orleans.
Delgado-Borrego chose Florida for the study because it is one of the few states that requires all cases of the infection to be reported to the local health department.
"Not only was there a lack of proper identification, but among the children that have been identified the percentage of those receiving medical care is extremely and unacceptably low," she said.
Based on these data, Delgado-Borrego's group found only about 1.2 percent of children with hepatitis C were receiving treatment by a pediatric hepatologist.
Most young children get the infection from their mothers while in the womb. That accounts for about 60 percent of the infections in young children, Delgado-Borrego said. Teenagers can get it through IV drug use and other substance abuse, she added.
So why are so many kids missed? According to Delgado-Borrego, there's a widespread lack of awareness of the condition and adequate screening is not often done. Moreover, children are too often not referred to treatment.
"Primary care doctors should screen all children who are at risk for hepatitis C infection, such as those whose mothers are infected," Delgado-Borrego said.
In addition, infected children should be referred to specialists, she added.
"Early identification of pediatric hepatitis C infection would likely help us cure the infection in over 50 percent of children that currently have it," Delgado-Borrego pointed out. "This would save children from liver damage as well as possible liver failure, liver cancer and even early death," she added.
Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University, said that, "this is a pretty shocking study."
Siegel said early diagnosis of hepatitis C is very important, especially in children. "Because if kids have it they have a lifetime of exposure to it, so the chances of damage to the liver is very high," he explained.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation, Siegel noted.
More information
For more information on hepatitis C, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
I'm glad you're getting them tested, DIane. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I had mine natural. And as I stated above, I breastfed for 13 months, during which time I did have 1 episode involving cracked/bleeding ....(ack, suddenly I'm too shy to say nipples in public, lol!!)
Please keep us posted
Isobella
I had mine natural. And as I stated above, I breastfed for 13 months, during which time I did have 1 episode involving cracked/bleeding ....(ack, suddenly I'm too shy to say nipples in public, lol!!)
Please keep us posted
Isobella
I will get them tested, for sure. I was wondering if you had your kids naturally or did you have C-sections?
It's the cracks and cuts that I was referring to, not the breastmilk itself. Sorry to have made it sound otherwise.
Thanks for sharing your insight into pregnancy and delivery with HCV. I'm glad to hear your twins are fine =)
Thanks for sharing your insight into pregnancy and delivery with HCV. I'm glad to hear your twins are fine =)
I nursed my kids. Our lactation consultant said it was fine as long as I don't have any problems with my breasts (no cuts, cracks, etc). She said that none of the studies she was aware of showed that you could give your child HCV by breastfeeding.
I tested my twins as soon as I could, they were about 10 months old then. Nothing. Our pediatrician didn't push for it, but didn't mind to order tests either. They were delivered through C-section (advised by my ob-gyn to minimize the risk of transmission), and we also saved cord blood (the blood bank later called me and confirmed that my sample tested positive for HCV, but kids' samples were fine). Now I am waiting for my kids to turn 3 years old, to get them tested again, just in case. I think once they test negative at 3 year old check up, then I can relax :)
I know it's a moot point, but I've never asked....did you nurse your kids??
LIke trying to figure when we were infected, it always tugs at the back of my brain...was it in the womb, or thru nursing that I passed this on.
LIke trying to figure when we were infected, it always tugs at the back of my brain...was it in the womb, or thru nursing that I passed this on.
You should by all means have your children tested! I had all of my 5 kids tested and one of them was positive. Fortunately she did not have hep c after all, as her body had beaten the virus by itself. But obviously I did infect her through birth. So yes, the risk is very much there.
I would suggest that your pediatrician might not be too well informed about hep c transmission, as many doctors obviously aren't.
I would suggest that your pediatrician might not be too well informed about hep c transmission, as many doctors obviously aren't.
Iz,
I wish I could have shared my good luck with you - as you know I did exactly what I said and over treated myself on purpose...I figured I was making future deals about them not ever getting it I suppose.
Yes us heppers..........some bunch of fruit cakes aren't we?
I wish I could have shared my good luck with you - as you know I did exactly what I said and over treated myself on purpose...I figured I was making future deals about them not ever getting it I suppose.
Yes us heppers..........some bunch of fruit cakes aren't we?
Dang it...I tried to make a deal as well....I guess I'm off the hook for all the promises I made, lol!!! (just kidding...sick hepper humor)
I couldn't wish this one away...but she'll get through it.
I couldn't wish this one away...but she'll get through it.
Thanks for posting, Susan. As you know, this is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart.
Our hepatologist had a different opinion on damage progression. He said sometimes because they are born with the virus, the body doesn't recognize the virus as an invader and therefore doesn't attack it. This leads to less damage because there is less inflammation. Unfortunately, I get to test that theory firsthand. I'll let y'all know how it works for us.
Diane, there is approximately 6% chance of passing it on to your child. In my case, it was more like 100%. What is her rationale for not checking them? I suggest getting them tested. Like my doc said....the chances are they will be negative.....
Good luck to you,
Isobella
Our hepatologist had a different opinion on damage progression. He said sometimes because they are born with the virus, the body doesn't recognize the virus as an invader and therefore doesn't attack it. This leads to less damage because there is less inflammation. Unfortunately, I get to test that theory firsthand. I'll let y'all know how it works for us.
Diane, there is approximately 6% chance of passing it on to your child. In my case, it was more like 100%. What is her rationale for not checking them? I suggest getting them tested. Like my doc said....the chances are they will be negative.....
Good luck to you,
Isobella
The very first thing I did was make a deal with God and tell him if both my kids came back negative I would treat as hard as I could. Had to keep that promise! I would advise any mom to get their child tested if it were possible that they were infected while pregnant, especially.
I made my kids both swear not to use my razors or clippers and you'd be surprised how many times I'd find them doing it anyway, no matter how bad I freaked out - kids don't listen because they dont think anything could ever happen to them. Narcissism is a gift that the young have that unfortunately, we do not.
I made my kids both swear not to use my razors or clippers and you'd be surprised how many times I'd find them doing it anyway, no matter how bad I freaked out - kids don't listen because they dont think anything could ever happen to them. Narcissism is a gift that the young have that unfortunately, we do not.
I have been concerned about this for my kids. I talked to their pediatrician and she said there was no reason to check them. Could you give me the link to the article so I can forward it to her?
Thanks!
Thanks!
I had my son tested twice. Once, when I first found out and he was negative, THANK GOD! And again, when he was home for a visit and I saw that he was using my fingernail clippers, which I knew that I'd used on my cuticles before (and sometimes as you know bleeding will unintentionally occur when one uses clippers on cuticles). He was negative the second time to, again, THANK GOD! I do know of a woman whose daughter did get infected through her childbirth.., her mom was Hep C positive. Parents don't always know that they have it and then, unknowingly past it on to their offspring. On the rare occasion that this does happen, the parent most often has a lot of guilt feelings to overcome, as you can imagine. Anyhow, I saw this article and thought I'd post it on here.
Susan400
Susan400
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
