Viral Hepatitis in Pregnancy

Document Type : Case report

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Pathology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

4 Internist Internal Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Abstract

The course of infection with most hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A, B, and C is not affected by pregnancy; however, a more severe course of viral hepatitis in pregnancy has been observed in patients infected with hepatitis E virus. Rate of transmission of hepatitis viruses during pregnancy depends on the type of virus. For instance, intrauterine transmission of hepatitis A virus is very rare, but perinatal transmission could occur. Conversely 60% of pregnant women who acquire acute infection with hepatitis B virus at or near delivery will transmit the virus to their offspring. Mother to child transmission of hepatitis E virus has been reported about 33.3-50%. Breast-feeding is not contra-indicated in women infected with hepatitis A, E, or C. During acute infection with hepatitis B virus, breast-feeding poses no additional risk for transmission of the virus if appropriate immunoprophylaxis including hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine is administered.

Keywords

References

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