Posted: 6/17/2016 7:32:44 AM EDT
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This isn't your typical "go see a doctor" thread.
After years of trying to have our own, and being unsuccessful, head sammich maker and I kind of gave up on having kids. Some time in late March, we got a call from a friend of a friend of a friend. A child is going to be born soon and are we interested? We considered it for a week or so, then notified that we would possibly be willing to adopt. We have now gone through all of the steps, and are basically waiting for the birth, which is supposed to happen in less than two weeks. Yesterday we received the health history form of the mother. We learned that she is positive for herpes and Hepatitis C. Our research on the webs shows that transmission rates to newborns is low, and can vary a lot depending on other factors, such as HIV, which the mother does not have, to our knowledge. Misses riverrockar is going to ask around some docs at work, and has a friend that is a pediatrician, who we will ask. Anyone have any experience with newborns and Hep C? We need some professional guidance. Would this be a deal breaker for ARF docs? Also, fuck off to everyone that claims drug use is a victimless crime. Thanks in advance. |
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I'm not a hepatologist (or even out of med school), but a brief literature search shows that there is a 5% transmission chance if she does not have an HIV co-infection. They will test the baby at aroind 18 months for infection. Most children with hep C have a slower progression of disease, and it is recommended to hold off on treatment until age 18yr or until additional treatment regimens are approved by the FDA. They can treat earlier, but it is not recommended unless there is significant burden of disease because of the side effects. The newer medications to treat hep C are well tolerated and are very effective. It appears to be a matter of time before those treatments are approved for children.
In my personal opinion, I wouldn't let the risk stop me from getting the baby if you want to be parents. Has the pregnancy been otherwise uncomplicated? No drug use, alcohol, smoking? Taking prenatal supplements? |
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Baby should've been tested already to see if positive for the Hep-C (1/25 chance). As long as the herpes isn't active (no lesions) at time of birth it shouldn't be a problem. If it is active they'll do a c-section. My research shows that most babies will test positive (falsely) because of the antibodies passed on from the mother. Just passing along what little i was able to gather on the webs last night. |
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Let me know how you feel when your potential child may get a disease that causes liver cancer.  Quoted:
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I have nothing but for someone wanting info I would likely be a little nicer Let me know how you feel when your potential child may get a disease that causes liver cancer. Don't they have a pretty effective cure for Hep-c now? Good luck |
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Don't they have a pretty effective cure for Hep-c now? Good luck Quoted:
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I have nothing but for someone wanting info I would likely be a little nicer Let me know how you feel when your potential child may get a disease that causes liver cancer. Don't they have a pretty effective cure for Hep-c now? Good luck Around $80,000. 80 days and each pill $1000. Might be cheaper now. Not sue if for children. |
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I'm not a hepatologist (or even out of med school), but a brief literature search shows that there is a 5% transmission chance if she does not have an HIV co-infection. They will test the baby at aroind 18 months for infection. Most children with hep C have a slower progression of disease, and it is recommended to hold off on treatment until age 18yr or until additional treatment regimens are approved by the FDA. They can treat earlier, but it is not recommended unless there is significant burden of disease because of the side effects. The newer medications to treat hep C are well tolerated and are very effective. It appears to be a matter of time before those treatments are approved for children. In my personal opinion, I wouldn't let the risk stop me from getting the baby if you want to be parents. Has the pregnancy been otherwise uncomplicated? No drug use, alcohol, smoking? Taking prenatal supplements? Mother has been a meth/heroin/alcohol user in the past. Claims she has been on prescribed drugs to keep her off of the heroin/meth. She has been getting prenatal care, and claims to be otherwise healthy. I know the risk is small, but it's still there. As for my original comment about drug use being a victimless crime, I simply meant that this child did nothing to deserve being put at the risk for these diseases, and that I can't help but be extremely angry at the current situation. Anyone that believes there aren't victims is lying to themselves, or hasn't put themselves in this situation. |