Epidemiology and natural history of hepatitis C virus infection among children and young people.

•In UK children, HCV infection is transmitted by IV drug use in 53%, blood products in 24% and perinatally in 11%.•Cirrhosis occurs in 32% of patients, a median of 33 years after infection, irrespective of infection route.•Treatment impact on disease progression better if started before cirrhosis.•Anti-HCV therapy should be available in childhood to prevent long-term liver disease.