Hepatitis C Care Remains Elusive for Most Families in Need

Hepatitis C prevalence has steadily increased among young people in the United States. Yet fewer than one out of three children and adolescents diagnosed with the virus have access to care, and even fewer are prescribed treatment, according to “Disparities in Linkage to Care Among Children with Hepatitis C Virus in the United States,” a study published in the May 2025 Pediatrics (published online April 18). Hepatitis C is a potentially serious virus that can cause chronic liver inflammation and long-term health consequences if untreated, including liver cancer and death. Most children with hepatitis C are infected through perinatal transmission —from mother to child during pregnancy or birth. While many children spontaneously clear hepatitis C infection early in life, anywhere from 60-80% will develop chronic liver infection. The study evaluated hepatitis C health care utilization among children born from 2000 to 2018. In this study, only one in eight children diagnosed with hepatitis C were prescribed direct acting antivirals to cure their infection. This treatment became available to children 3 years of age in 2021 – meaning all children and adolescents in the study were eligible by its conclusion in 2022. The study also revealed disparities in access to hepatitis C care among several groups including Black children and those living in the southern United States. Authors offered potential explanations for these disparities including limitations set by medical insurers, the initial high cost of the antivirals, and varying eligibility for treatment among adults and children. According to authors, these treatment gaps represent missed opportunities to prevent serious hepatitis C-related complications, including liver-related death. Educating pediatricians on updated testing guidelines, along with strengthening programs to connect children with hepatitis C to care could improve outcomes and reduce health disparities, according to authors.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.