On 2015 Apr 22, Stuart RAY commented:

Regarding HCV the authors of this review state, "During pregnancy, pregnant women should be seen regularly by a gastroenterologist to monitor liver biochemical tests and viral load." No citation for this recommendation is cited, and I don't think it's part of the consensus guidelines http://hcvguidelines.org. It seems sensible to monitor liver enzymes for a variety or reason; in contrast, the utility of monitoring HCV RNA levels during pregnancy is dubious. Women with HIV and a high HCV RNA level are at higher risk of transmitting to the child, but it's not clear how monitoring HCV RNA level ("viral load") will have any impact on medical care. Monitoring of HCV RNA levels is only recommended immediately before, during, and shortly after HCV treatment - a different topic.

If there is a sound basis for the authors' recommendation to monitor HCV RNA levels ("viral load") during pregnancy, please provide it.

On 2015 Apr 22, Stuart RAY commented:

Regarding HCV the authors of this review state, "During pregnancy, pregnant women should be seen regularly by a gastroenterologist to monitor liver biochemical tests and viral load." No citation for this recommendation is cited, and I don't think it's part of the consensus guidelines http://hcvguidelines.org. It seems sensible to monitor liver enzymes for a variety or reason; in contrast, the utility of monitoring HCV RNA levels during pregnancy is dubious. Women with HIV and a high HCV RNA level are at higher risk of transmitting to the child, but it's not clear how monitoring HCV RNA level ("viral load") will have any impact on medical care. Monitoring of HCV RNA levels is only recommended immediately before, during, and shortly after HCV treatment - a different topic.

If there is a sound basis for the authors' recommendation to monitor HCV RNA levels ("viral load") during pregnancy, please provide it.