Aa
daughter tested positive
We already knew she would test positive for the antibody. What scares me is that the nurse said her levels are extremely high. She said it was 18 and the cutoff is less than 1 or something like that. I was at work and couldn't hear well :(
Could someone please explain what levels she is talking about???
Does this mean she likely has a current infection???? :(
Could someone please explain what levels she is talking about???
Does this mean she likely has a current infection???? :(
Thank you . I think just dealing with the emotions/worry/regret/guilt is the most disturbing.. And fear of the unknown. Thank you for the best wishes and your prompt responses. I rush to this forum every time..you all make me feel much better regardless the situation. I will update on the next test and when..
No, breast feeding will not cause her antibody test to come back high. In fact, breast feeding is NOT contraindicated between an HCV+ mom and a negative baby. I know it doesn't seem like it to you, but your baby is going to be fine. By the time she is old enough for treatment, if she does have the virus, it will be a breeze for her. Just enjoy her. SHE WILL BE FINE, even if she ends up having the virus.
The HCV/RNA test is conclusive way before 18 months if there is a need to know. Most parents, we have found, want to know sooner rather than later. It is so hard to wonder and worry about your child. Knowing early has nothing to do with treatment. It has more to do with emotions. Studies are also showing that up to 40% of children born with the actual virus will clear it on their own in 5-7 years.
In infants born to mothers with HCV, the antibody test is not useful and can give false positive results. The mother’s HCV antibody crosses the placenta like all antibodies and can stay in the blood of an infant for up to 18 months. Thus you cannot use the anti-HCV antibody test to screen for HCV in infants less than 18 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends testing with the antibody test at 18 months or later since treatment of HCV is not recommended for infants less than 3 years of age.
http://www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/rockymountain/doctorsnotes/pediatrichcv/
http://www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/rockymountain/doctorsnotes/pediatrichcv/
My lab tech friend called me and said that at 13 months, with a high signal-to-cutoff, it is more likely that the antibody test means a current infection. Not definite, but likely. Your baby is going to be fine. I hope you live near where you can find a pediatric gastroenterologist and you can get your questions answered. Please keep us in the loop and let us know what you find out.
Hi Babyblue. It sounds as if the number 18 is the signal-to-cutoff ratio. In an adult a high number makes it less likely that the antibody test is a false positive. I do not know if it is meaningful in a baby who would have gotten the antibody from her mother. I have sent the question to a lab tech friend of mine who is also a very active advocate in the HCV community. As soon as I get an answer from him, I will let you know what he says. In the mean time, when a baby acquires the virus, it is rare for them to develop liver damage in the first couple of decades. Not saying it can't happen, but it is rare. I do NOT agree with the others who say don't test because there is no treatment for children. I think you would be remiss to just let it go until the child is old enough to treat. She/he needs to be followed if in fact it does turn out to be a true positive. I am truly sorry you have this worry about your child. I know what it feels like to worry about your children. But keep in mind, if you have to be diagnosed with this virus, now is a great time because the era of interferon is over. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the baby will turn out to be virus undetected.
Honestly, I would wait until she's older to test/confirm since at this young age it does not give you an accurate treatments. I would at least wait until she's 2 or 3.
I also don't believe the current treatments have been studied on pediatric patients so even if she were positive, there is really not much you can do yet. I personally would not want to put them through all that yet. Mine are 6 and 8 and have not been tested because of this.
Now, we are always being careful about cuts/sharing household items anyway because of my status so I don't feel I'm necessarily burying my head in the sand. They WILL be tested just not now, in a couple of years definitely. In the event they were positive, I don't want their status to be known until something can be done about it. Pediatricians are not always that informed and I would hate for them to experience any negativity before it's necessary.
In your case, I think that a specialist is a good idea just to put your mind to rest. Remember, even if she was positivite it's a whole new world in the treatment of HCV. It's a big deal but it's not a death sentence by any means.
I also don't believe the current treatments have been studied on pediatric patients so even if she were positive, there is really not much you can do yet. I personally would not want to put them through all that yet. Mine are 6 and 8 and have not been tested because of this.
Now, we are always being careful about cuts/sharing household items anyway because of my status so I don't feel I'm necessarily burying my head in the sand. They WILL be tested just not now, in a couple of years definitely. In the event they were positive, I don't want their status to be known until something can be done about it. Pediatricians are not always that informed and I would hate for them to experience any negativity before it's necessary.
In your case, I think that a specialist is a good idea just to put your mind to rest. Remember, even if she was positivite it's a whole new world in the treatment of HCV. It's a big deal but it's not a death sentence by any means.
The specialist may make us wait till 18 months but her pediatrician wasn't comfortable treating her because I'm hcv positive :-(
FYI the nurse has no business commenting on a subject she clearly knows nothing about, antibody test scores are absolutely no indication to a current infection, for example, if you tested me today I would max the test out but I have been SVR since 2013, your stressing for nothing, you should wait until 18 months to test the child as recommended by the CDC.
Have a great day
Have a great day
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