Cost-Effectiveness of One-Time Universal Childhood Hepatitis C Screening in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in pregnancy has increased, leading to increased perinatally exposed infants. Although universal HCV screening in pregnancy is recommended, pediatric cases remain undiagnosed. We examine the cost-effectiveness of universal HCV screening among children at age 2 and 10, when other routine blood testing is recommended.

Methods

An HCV natural history Markov model evaluated the cost-effectiveness of universal HCV screening independently at ages 2 and 10 compared to the currently recommended risk-based screening of children born to those with HCV. Based on previous literature, we assumed a 0.05% pediatric HCV chronic prevalence (0.73% chronic prevalence among pregnant persons and 7.2% vertical transmission). In the status-quo scenario, we assumed

SUBMITTER: Frankeberger J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916085 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature