To study the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from infected mother to their infants, out of 1047 mothers studied, 8 were anti-HCV antibody and 6 were HCV RNA positive as well as 2 mothers who were anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA positive. 12 mothers and their 12 babies were followed up for 12 months. Only one of 12 infants showed persistently positive for anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA at 1, 6 and 12 months of age. His HCV type was identical to his mother. These results suggest that vertical transmission is present but not an important route for HCV infection.