Pregnancy Outcome in Viral Hepatitis

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis in pregnancy is an important medical disorder seen more often in developing countries than in developed ones. Viral hepatitis is a major public health problem in India. Hepatitis in pregnancy is commonly associated with abortion, premature delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, coagulation defect, obstetric shock, coma, death and increased perinatal mortality and morbidity. This study was carried out to know the effect of viral hepatitis on pregnancy and to study its maternal and fetal outcome. Materials and methods: This prospective clinical study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, Nagpur, from January 2010 to December 2012. All the antenatal cases attended Obstetrics and Gynecology Department were investigated for HBsAg and looked for any symptoms and signs suggesting hepatitis like fever, jaundice, nausea, vomiting. If present, they were admitted and further investigated to detect viral hepatitis. Patients were counseled for follow-up and strict hospital delivery. Patients with viral hepatitis were analyzed for the effect on pregnancy, maternal and fetal outcome. Results: There were total 30 cases of viral hepatitis 24 (80{%}) cases were HBsAg positive, but all were asymptomatic 6 (20{%}) cases were hepatitis E positive. No HAV, HCV, HDV and hepatitis G infected cases were detected in our study. Maternal and fetal morbidity was significantly higher in hepatitis E infected women. Fetal mortality was observed in one case. Conclusion: Pregnancy with viral hepatitis requires early diagnosis, hospitalization and treatment. In the present study hepatitis E was found to be the chief etiological agent associated with increased maternal morbidity, and high fetal morbidity and mortality.