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Objective Both hepatitis C virus (HCV) and opioid use disorder (OUD) have been associated with higher rates of preterm birth (PTB). It is unknown whether the higher prevalence of HCV in individuals with OUD may contribute to this association. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between HCV and PTB in pregnant individuals with OUD.

Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort of pregnant individuals with OUD who participated in more than three visits in a co-located multidisciplinary program. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of OUD, participation in treatment/prenatal care program, and laboratory evaluation of HCV status. The primary exposure was the presence of HCV antibodies, and secondarily, a detectable viral load (viremia). The primary outcome was PTB, which was further classified as spontaneous or iatrogenic. Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect associations while adjusting for race, history of prior PTB, and tobacco use.

Results A total of 941 individuals were included in the study, 404 with HCV and 537 without. Rates of PTB did not differ between those with compared to those without HCV (20.3 vs. 23.8%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53–1.07]). There were similar rates of spontaneous PTB (13.1 vs. 16.2%, aOR = 0.79 [95% CI: 0.43–1.45]) and iatrogenic PTB (7.2 vs. 7.6%, aOR = 1.26 [95% CI: 0.69–2.30]). Comparing those with viremia to those without, there were also similar rates of overall PTB (21.6 vs. 17.9%, aOR = 0.86 [95% CI: 0.52–1.44]), spontaneous PTB (13.3 vs. 12.9%, aOR = 0.97 [95% CI: 0.52–1.87]), and iatrogenic PTB (8.3 vs. 5.0%, aOR = 1.83 [95% CI: 0.76–4.94]).

Conclusion HCV does not appear to be associated with spontaneous or iatrogenic PTB in pregnant persons with OUD who are engaged in treatment and prenatal care. The role of co-located multidisciplinary prenatal and addiction programs in the association between HCV and PTB warrants further investigation.

Key Points

Hepatitis C antibodies are not associated with PTB in those with OUD.

Hepatitis C viremia is not associated with PTB.

Multidisciplinary treatment programs may contribute to these findings.

Keywords hepatitis C virus - opioid use disorder - preterm birth Note

This was presented as a poster presentation at the SMFM Annual Meeting in February 2022.

Publication History

Received: 08 July 2024

Accepted: 10 September 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 September 2024

Article published online:
30 September 2024

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