Hepatitis C
Nursing Care of a Baby whose Mother is HCV Positive

Authorised by:
Charge Nurse Newborn

October 2009

Nursing Care of Baby

Step

Action

1
Standard precautions.

2
Gloves worn for all cares where contact with body fluid is anticipated.

3

Babies greater than 32 weeks gestation if condition stable, are to be bathed on admission. Vitamin K after bath.

4
Baby can have mother's breast milk provided the mother does not have co-infection (e.g. with HIV) or severe liver failure but Doctor/NS-ANP need to discuss (and document) with mother the theoretical risks.

5
To be cautious, an infected mother should avoid breastfeeding if her nipples are cracked and bleeding^1.

6
To discuss with Paediatric I.D. team or gastro enterology if any questions.

References

1	Mast E (2004). “Mother-to-infant hepatitis C virus transmission and breastfeeding.” Adv Exp Med Biol 554: 211-6. PMID 15384578.

Step	Action
1	Standard precautions.
2	Gloves worn for all cares where contact with body fluid is anticipated.
3	Babies greater than 32 weeks gestation if condition stable, are to be bathed on admission. Vitamin K after bath.
4	Baby can have mother's breast milk provided the mother does not have co-infection (e.g. with HIV) or severe liver failure but Doctor/NS-ANP need to discuss (and document) with mother the theoretical risks.
5	To be cautious, an infected mother should avoid breastfeeding if her nipples are cracked and bleeding^1.
6	To discuss with Paediatric I.D. team or gastro enterology if any questions.

Hepatitis C Nursing Care of a Baby whose Mother is HCV Positive

Nursing Care of Baby

References

Hepatitis C
Nursing Care of a Baby whose Mother is HCV Positive