Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are increasing nationwide and are of particular concern in Tennessee, especially among individuals of reproductive age.1,2 Maternal HCV status reported on the birth certificate reveals that the rate of HCV among women giving birth in TN increased 163% from 2009-2014.3 Further, a 2017 TN Department of Health (TDH) study found that 30% of reproductive aged women with newly reported chronic HCV in TN were determined to be pregnant. While current treatment options are not recommended for children under 12, it is critical to identify an infantâÂÂs HCV status in order for him/her to receive proper care. Given the high rates of pregnancy reported among women with newly diagnosed HCV, we sought to expand viral hepatitis surveillance efforts to quantify the extent of the burden of HCV among women giving birth in TN, utilizing surveillance data in lieu of standalone birth certificate data.
Objective: 1. To quantify the burden of perinatal hepatitis C (HCV) exposure and examine the geographic variation in Tennessee (TN). 2. Develop new surveillance strategies for retrospective tracking of perinatal HCV exposures.