thanbey

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Statistically about 5-10% of children born to hepatitis C positive mothers pass the virus to the children. The higher the mother's viral load, the greater the chances of the child having the virus. That is better than 90% in her favor. Pretty good odds!

At 15 months of age, the test is not going to be accurate. If she tests positive, it doesn't mean she has the virus. It may only mean she still carries her mother's antibodies. Testing by TMA technology (more than antibodies) is generally done after 2 years of age and even up to four years of age. It is possible, from all we currently know, that she will have hepatitis C for life. But, it is very very unlikely.

So, assuming she will have hepatitis C, her chances of ever being ill are quite low. Not zero, mind you, but very low. You will have to teach her to eat and care for herself much as the parent of a diabetic child would. She must be taught from an early age that alcohol will not be part of her life. And, I would suggest you model the behavior in your own life. That is, with good healthy habits for the whole family. She should not ever be exposed to smoking or to smoke herself.

In the worst case scenario she could need a liver transplant at some point. This is exceedingly rare, but it could happen. You could make her condition a part of the adoption process by insuring that any medical costs of that magnitutude would be covered, perhaps by a supported adoption if that is available in your state. Protect her and yourselves financially from any catastrophic medical costs through an insurance policy or through an agreement with the state adoption agency.

After liver transplant (which can be only a few days in the hospital these days) she will need medication to prevent rejection of the new liver, probably for the rest of her life. It can cost you. Again, the chances of this occurring are exceedingly low, but they are there.

I have counselled many adoptive parents over the last 12 years. No one deferrred the adoption. Each child has since been tested undetected and is normal in every way, meeting developmental milestones. Some had learning problems, but more likely that was due to the mother's addiction prior to birth rather than hepatitis C. The oldest is now 10 and he doing as well as any other ten year old.

The overwhelming odds are that your little girl will not be positive for hepatitis C after the age of 2 years IF she tests positive now. She is most likely carying her mother's antibodies. At the age of 2 or 3, have her tested by TMA (the newest and most senisitve technology). By then, technology will have improved even more, I suspect. You can actually have that test now, but it won't tell you what you really want to know. If she tests negative now by TMA, the chances are infintessimal that she has hepatitis C at all.

Check out the website below my name for articles on children with hepatitis C.

I hope this helps,

thanbey