Nasir Khokhar, Raja K S, Javaid S.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection and its risk factors in Pregnant Women.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;54(3):135.

All pregnant women presenting in the antenatal clinic of Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, from July 2001 to December 2002, were enrolled and checked for anti HCV and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. The upper limit of normal ALT in females was 30 IU. Those found positive for anti HCV were encouraged to have HCV RNA done. Patients were questioned for any possible risk factors which may have lead to hepatitis C virus infection. Frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Mean age standard deviations are given. A total of 503 patients were enrolled. Twenty four (4.8%) were anti HCV positive. Mean age was 27.9-4.97 years (95% CI 27.47 - 28.35). Number of pregnancies in these patients were 2.58 % 1.77 (95% CI 2.42 - 2.73). The month of pregnancy during which they presented was 4.58 2.49 (95% CI 4.37 - 4.80). ALT levels were normal in 12 out of 24 (50%). ALT level in patients with abnormal values was 51.53 l 46.28 (95 % CI 31.11 - 72.15). HCV RNA was done in 18 women and 13 (72%) were positive. Risk factors noted were blood transfusion in 10 (42%) patients, surgery in 4 (17%)and injections in 3 (12%) patients. No known risk factors could be found in 7 (29%) patients.

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