Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hepatitis C Incidence.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

18 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, he proposes to implement to counteract the increase in the number of babies at risk from hepatitis C as documented in the recent report of the Rotunda hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27079/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Rotunda Hospital's 1998 annual report identifies an increase in the number of pregnant women with the hepatitis C virus, HCV, presenting to the hospital since 1994, with a marked increase for the period 1997 to 1998. This coincides with a heightened awareness by the hospital of the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C amongst pregnant women.

Women with identified risk factors for HCV or a history of jaundice are screened selectively at the Rotunda Hospital. The report indicates that a total of 128 infants at risk of HCV were born to 122 mothers in the Rotunda Hospital from 1994 to 1998. The Rotunda Hospital accounts for 64% of all such referrals in the Dublin area, 85% of whom acquired HCV through IV drug use. The health promotion unit in my Department implements a wide range of initiatives aimed at creating a greater awareness of the problems of drug misuse and preventing young people from turning to drug misuse in the first instance. It has worked closely with the Department of Education and Science on the development and dissemination of a substance abuse prevention programme in schools.

A number of studies both in the Eastern Health Board drugs services and in prison have shown that between 70% and 80% of opiate addicts are hepatitis C positive. The health board has developed a broad range of drug prevention and treatment services. These services are provided at 53 locations throughout the health board area. Special attention is paid to pregnant women who test positive for hepatitis C. The board will continue to enhance and expand these services.

In addition, the Eastern Health Board has appointed two liaison midwives and is in the process of appointing a third to work with pregnant drug misusing women attending maternity hospitals in Dublin. The liaison midwife acts as a link between the obstetric and the drug treatment services to ensure that drug misusing women receive a comprehensive service and that good communication exists between both teams. The liaison midwife is also involved in prevention and education work with the women and also assists the women in attending gynaecological clinics for follow up with family planning post delivery and works closely with social services around child care issues in the early post-natal period.

In line with other European countries, Ireland is experiencing an increase in the numbers of hepatitis C infected women. The full impact of this on child health has not been determined. Further collaborative studies are ongoing to assess factors contributing to vertical transmission of hepatitis C and evaluate the role of interventions to its prevention. I assure the Deputy that my Department is closely monitoring and evaluating all such developments in this area.