Objective: To describe the clinical outcome of pregnancy and vertical transmission of acute viral hepatitis in pregnancy.
Methods: Forty-eight pregnant patients with acute viral hepatitis were evaluated clinically and by abdominal ultrasonography. Serological studies for hepatitis markers were performed using radioimmunoassay. The results were evaluated using Student's t-test and tests of proportion.
Result: Thirty-five (72.9%) delivered live birth babies at term, while 13 (27.1%) had fetal complications and/or losses. The percentage of fetal complications and/or losses was higher in patients who had non-A, non-B hepatitis (30.8%) than those who had type B hepatitis (25%). The most common fetal complication was premature delivery (14.9%) followed by stillbirth and abortion (8.3%) for each. The overall percentage of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus was 2 out of 27 (7.4%).
Conclusion: Acute viral hepatitis carries a high risk for both mother and fetus. Routine vaccination of all susceptible women and babies against hepatitis B is recommended in endemic areas.