Mother to infant transmission is the commonest route of hepatitis C virus infection
in children. Most infected children remain well but are at high risk of developing
chronic liver problems during adulthood.
Key messages
􀃎 There is no evidence from randomised controlled trials regarding the benefits
and harms of planned elective caesarean section versus planned vaginal birth
for women with hepatitis C virus infection at birth.
􀃎 Evidence from randomised controlled trials is needed to inform policy options;
in the meantime, systematic reviews of observational studies and syntheses
of qualitative data to inform women and health professionals would be necessary.