Respect women, promote health and reduce stigma: ethical arguments for universal hepatitis C screening in pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 674-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle S Gross ◽  
Alexandra R Ruth ◽  
Sonja A Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Universal Screening ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
System Level ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
In Pregnancy

In the USA, there are missed opportunities to diagnose hepatitis C virus (HCV) in pregnancy because screening is currently risk-stratified and thus primarily limited to individuals who disclose history of injection drug use or sexually transmitted infection risks. Over the past decade, the opioid epidemic has dramatically increased incidence of HCV and a feasible, well-tolerated cure was introduced. Considering these developments, recent evidence suggests universal HCV screening in pregnancy would be cost-effective and several professional organisations have called for updated national policy. Historically, universal screening has been financially disincentivised on the healthcare system level, particularly since new diagnoses may generate an obligation to provide expensive treatments to a population largely reliant on public health resources. Here, we provide ethical arguments supporting universal HCV screening in pregnancy grounded in obligations to respect for persons, beneficence and justice. First, universal prenatal HCV screening respects pregnant women as persons by promoting their long-term health outside of pregnancy. Additionally, universal screening would optimise health outcomes within current treatment guidelines and may support research on treatment during pregnancy. Finally, universal screening would avoid potential harms of risk-stratifying pregnant women by highly stigmatised substance use and sexual behaviours.

Pragmatic Experience with Risk-based versus Universal Hepatitis C Screening in Pregnancy: Detection of Infection and Postpartum Linkage to Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa T. Bushman ◽  
Lakshmi Subramani ◽  
Aalok Sanjanwala ◽  
Jodie Dionne-Odom ◽  
Ricardo Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Universal Screening ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
In Pregnancy

Objective Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommending universal hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening in pregnancy Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continue to endorse risk-based screening for HCV in pregnancy. We hypothesized that universal screening is associated with increased HCV diagnosis and postpartum linkage to HCV care compared with risk-based screening. Study Design This retrospective cohort study included pregnant women screened for HCV at a single tertiary-care center. We defined two cohorts: women managed with risk-based (January 2014–October 2016) or universal HCV screening (November 2016–December 2018). Screening was performed with ELISA antibody testing and viremia confirmed with HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primary outcomes were the rate of HCV screen positivity and postpartum linkage to care. Results From 2014 to 2018, 16,489 women delivered at our institution, of whom 166 screened positive for HCV. A total of 7,039 pregnant women were screened for HCV: 266 with risk-based and 6,773 with universal screening; 29% (76/266) were positive HCV antibody screening (HCVAb + ) in the risk-based cohort and 1.3% (90/6,773) in the universal cohort. HCVAb+ women in the risk-based cohort were more likely to have a positive drug screen. Only 69% (62/90) of HCVAb+ women in the universal cohort met the criteria for risk-based testing. Of the remaining 28 women, 6 (21%) had active viremia (HCV RNA+). Of the 166 HCVAb+ women, 64% (103/166) were HCV RNA+—51 of 266 (19%) in the risk-based and 52 of 6,773 (0.8%) in the universal cohort. Of HCVAb+ women, 75% (125/166) were referred postpartum for HCV evaluation and 27% (34/125) were linked to care. Only 9% (10/103) of women with viremia initiated treatment within 1 year of delivery. Conclusion Universal HCV screening in pregnancy identified an additional 31% of HCVAb+ women compared with risk-based screening. Given low rates of HCV follow-up and treatment regardless of screening modality, further studies are needed to address barriers to postpartum linkage to care. Key Points

scholarly journals Universal Screening of Pregnant Women for Hepatitis C: The Time Is Now

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 1493-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Jhaveri ◽  
Tina Broder ◽  
Debika Bhattacharya ◽  
Marion G Peters ◽  
Arthur Y Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Universal Screening ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Hcv Prevalence ◽  
Hcv Screening

Currently, risk-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening is recommended for women of childbearing age and pregnant women despite a high HCV prevalence. For many reasons outlined here, the time has come for universal screening for HCV for all pregnant women.

scholarly journals Risk-Based Hepatitis C Screening in Pregnancy Is Less Reliable Than Universal Screening: A Retrospective Chart Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Boudova ◽  
Katrina Mark ◽  
Samer S El-Kamary
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Universal Screening ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Screening Practices ◽  
Major Medical Center ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Current Guidelines ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Current guidelines recommend only hepatitis C virus (HCV) risk-based screening during pregnancy. We examined screening practices at a major medical center and found inconsistent risk-based screening and the presence of HCV among women with no known risk factors. We make a case for the implementation of universal HCV screening during pregnancy.

Hepatitis C Virus in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Andes ◽  
Kerry Ellenberg ◽  
Amanda Vakos ◽  
James Collins ◽  
Kimberly Fryer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Universal Screening ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to summarize recent demographic characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy and the efficacy of risk-based versus universal screening. Study Design PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. Studies that recognized hepatitis C as a primary or secondary outcome, with pregnant women as the population and written in English, were included. Studies were excluded if they were abstracts only, written in foreign language, or published prior to 1992. Two researchers independently screened all the studies by titles, abstracts, and full text. Conflicts were settled by a third researcher. Results A total of 698 studies were identified with 78 fitting inclusion criteria. In total, 69 epidemiologic and 9 comparison studies were found. Identified risk factors for HCV infection include intravenous or illicit drug use, sexually transmitted coinfection, high-risk behaviors in the partners, high parity, and history of miscarriages or abortions. Demographic characteristics associated with HCV include non-Hispanic white race, American Indian or Alaskan Native ethnicity, and increasing age. Providers may fail to adequately screen for each risk factor, and up to two-thirds of women with a known risk factor are not screened under current guidelines. Finally, up to 27% of HCV+ women have no identifiable risk factors for infection. Conclusion There is evidence that risk-based screening fails to identify a large proportion of HCV positive women in pregnancy and that pregnant women with HCV risk factors and consistent with current screening guidelines fail to be tested. We urge for the adoption of universal screening to identify these women and offer treatment.

scholarly journals 315. Prenatal Hepatitis C Viral (HCV) Screening Practices and HCV-Associated Fetal, Neonatal and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Large Regional Healthcare System

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S167-S167
Author(s):  
Tripti Adhikari ◽  
Rachel Scott ◽  
Utsav Timalsina ◽  
Ariunzaya Amgalan ◽  
Shari L Sawney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Screening Practices ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Prevalence of HCV in pregnancy is 0.1–3.6%. AASLD and IDSA now recommend HCV screening in pregnancy although CDC, USPSTF, or ACOG still do not—though HCV can be perinatally transmitted and carries associated complications for the mother and fetus. Our study objectives were to analyze prenatal HCV screening practices at a large regional healthcare system and the prevalence of HCV-associated maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. Methods We performed a nested propensity score (PS) case–control study of pregnant women who tested HCV Ab+ in a cross-sectional study of women presenting for prenatal care at a large regional healthcare system from January 17 to December 18. We collected retrospective EHR data, including state of residency, HCV Ab, RNA, care engagement, HCV risk factors, comorbidities, maternal and fetal/neonatal morbidity, and neonatal HCV testing (when available). Mixed and generalized linear models were used to examine differences in continuous and categorical variables, respectively, between cases and controls Results 14,363 women were seen for prenatal care; 4,891 (34%) were HCV tested, 75 (1.5%) tested HCV Ab+. Demographic and comorbidity data are shown in Table 1. HCV Ab+ cases had more co-morbidities, including obesity, heart disease, opioid use, and behavioral health issues compared with the controls. HCV risk factors included IVDU (64%) and tattoos (24%) (Figure 1). Neither past/current pregnancy-related complications nor fetal or neonatal adverse events (Figure 2) were statistically significantly different except for cholestasis in HCV Ab+ cases (5.3 vs. 0%, P = 0.04). Conclusion Our study showed only one-third of pregnant women are currently HCV screened in our health system. Universal screening would likely increase the number of HCV-infected women identified. Early HCV detection, repeated testing, and behavioral health intervention of those at high-risk may decrease further horizontal and vertical transmission of HCV in pregnancy. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Do we need to screen and treat pregnant women for subclinical hypothyroidism? A cross sectional study in a rural tertiary centre in Kerala, India

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Radha K. R. ◽  
Nishu Sugunan ◽  
Resmy C. R.
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Universal Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Maternal Complications ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neonatal Hypothyroidism ◽  
In Pregnancy

Background: Hypothyroidism (HT) is associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity. Subclinical HT rather than overt occur in pregnancy, because overt HT causes infertility. Treatment of overt HT was beneficial in reducing the fetal and maternal complications, Usefulness of correcting subclinical hypothyroidism was doubtful, hence Universal screening of pregnant women was not recommended.Methods: Cross sectional study, conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India. 50 consecutive cases of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy were analyzed for Thyroid function, antenatal, natal, postnatal complications. Perinatal complications, including neonatal hypothyroidism also noted. Statistical analysis done using computer software Epi info3.4. Data expressed in its frequency and percentage, continuous data in mean.Results: All women in the study group received levothyroxine during pregnancy from time of diagnosis. At the time of delivery 84% women were euthyroid and 16% hypothyroid. Complications like anemia 36%, abruption 4%, and postpartum hemorrhage 6% showed a statistically significant association, while pre-eclampsia 20%, preterm labor 22% had no statistically significant association. Comparing the women who are euthyroid as a result of levothyroxine supplementation to women inadequately treated, complications like anemia (33% versus 50%, p value 0.042), abruption (0% versus 4%, p value0.023), PPH (2% versus 6%, p value 0.014) were significantly less in well controlled.Conclusions: Significant association was noted between inadequately treated hypothyroidism and maternal complications like anaemia, placental abruption, placenta previa, PPH, preterm delivery, and caesarean section rate for foetal distress. Universal screening of pregnant women for thyroid status is recommended.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolated from South African Pregnant Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Glynis Oree ◽  
Meleshni Naicker ◽  
Hopolang Clifford Maise ◽  
Partson Tinarwo ◽  
Nathlee Samantha Abbai
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns

Background. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a sexually transmitted infection, is associated with adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Emerging resistance towards various antibiotics has been observed globally. However, there is a lack of data on antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in N. gonorrhoeae isolated from pregnant women in our setting. This study fills in this gap in the literature. Methods. The study population included pregnant women, recruited from the antenatal clinic of the King Edward VIII hospital (KEH) in Durban. Endocervical swabs were obtained from 307 women. The swab was placed in Amies Charcoal media for culture assessments. Pure isolates of N. gonorrhoeae were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Etest™ method. The MIC values were assessed in accordance with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST, 2019) breakpoints. Results. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae by culture was 1.9%. High MIC values to penicillin G (12-64 mg/L) indicating a resistant phenotype were observed for all isolates tested, with 50% of the isolates displaying complete resistance. Isolates with intermediate (1 mg/L) and resistance (1.9-32 mg/L) profiles to tetracycline were observed. Resistance to ciprofloxacin (1.16-3 mg/L) was also observed. Isolates displayed either dual or triple resistance to penicillin G, tetracycline, or ciprofloxacin. All isolates showed susceptibility to spectinomycin (>64 mg/L), azithromycin (1 mg/L), ceftriaxone (>0.125 mg/L), and cefixime (>0.125 mg/L). Conclusion. Despite lack of resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, continuous surveillance for emerging patterns of resistance to these antibiotics is needed since they form part of the treatment guidelines.

scholarly journals Association of sexually-transmitted infection and African–American race with Streptococcus agalactiae colonization in pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Capraro ◽  
Sajel Lala ◽  
Khaldia Khaled ◽  
Elizabeth Gosciniak ◽  
Brianna Saadat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
African American ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
African American Race ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a significant cause of neonatal infection, but the maternal risk factors for GBS colonization remain poorly defined. We hypothesized that there may be an association between antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and GBS colonization and/or the presence of inducible clindamycin resistance (iCLI-R) in GBS isolates from GBS-colonized pregnant women. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – Shreveport including demographic and clinical data from 1513 pregnant women who were screened for GBS between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Results Among 526 (34.8%) women who screened positive for GBS, 124 (23.6%) carried GBS strains with iCLI-R (GBS-iCLI-R). While antibiotic exposure, race, sexually-transmitted infection (STI) in pregnancy, GBS colonization in prior pregnancy and BMI were identified as risk factors for GBS colonization in univariate analyses, the only independent risk factors for GBS colonization were African–American race (AOR = 2.142; 95% CI = 2.092–3.861) and STI during pregnancy (AOR = 1.309; 95% CI = 1.035–1.653). Independent risk factors for GBS-iCLI-R among women colonized with GBS were non-African–American race (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.20–3.78) and younger age (AOR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.91–0.98). Among GBS-colonized women with an STI in the current pregnancy, the only independent risk factor for iCLI-R was Chlamydia trachomatis infection (AOR = 4.31; 95% CI = 1.78–10.41). Conclusions This study identified novel associations for GBS colonization and colonization with GBS-iCLI-R. Prospective studies will improve our understanding of the epidemiology of GBS colonization during pregnancy and the role of antibiotic exposure in alterations of the maternal microbiome.

A Survey of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Screening in Pregnancy Among OBGYNs at a Tertiary Care Center [19Q]

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 185S-186S
Author(s):  
Katherine Koniares ◽  
Hasan Fadlallah ◽  
Diana Kolettis ◽  
Tine Vindenes
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
In Pregnancy
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document