HEPATITIS VIRUSES AND PREGNANCY

Infections with hepatitis virus A, B, C, D or E can also be observed during pregnancy. Furthermore, pregnant carriers of hepatitis B virus, occurring at various frequencies in different populations, represent an important source of infection. The course and the outcome of hepatitis A, B, C and D do not seem to be significantly affected by pregnancy. A fulminant hepatitis E, however, which is observed only rarely in Europe, can be induced by pregnancy and labor. Fetal malformations have not been attributed to any hepatitis virus. A perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus often occurs, whereby the circulating HBe antigen or the amount of viral DNA in blood can be used as prognostic markers. Perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus has also been documented; its frequency, however, seems to be less than 10%. A general screening of pregnant women for HBs antigen is suitable in interrupting transmission of hepatitis B virus. Children born from hepatitis B virus carriers should receive a postpartal passive-active immunization.