Vertical transmission by hepatitis c virus: a literature review

Vertical transmission (TV) by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered a public health problem since there are no possible interventions to prevent or reduce the risks of transmission. Vertical transmission can occur in the intrauterine period and the peripartum in the presence of risk factors. The objective of the research was to analyze the transmission of risk factors from mother to child and recommendations for infection with hepatitis C. The samples were taken from the national and international scientific literature in the databases of Pubmed, MEDLINE, and LILACS. The search was based on the Health Science Descriptors (DeCS), following the publication criteria in the period between 1993 and 2019, totaling 54 scientific articles. The main risk factors are coinfection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), invasive fetal monitoring, rupture of the membrane and lacerations. Cesarean delivery has proven to be a protective factor in cases of coinfection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), being mandatory only when there are associated risk factors. Breastfeeding is widely recommended, except for cases of coinfection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), fissures, and nipple bleeding. Childhood prognosis is benign in most cases, and treatment generally promotes a sustained biological response.