Hepatitis and pregnancy

The maternal and fetal outcomes of 50 pregnancies complicated by acute viral hepatitis" were examined Twenty (40%) cases were due to type B hepatitis virus. The clinical course of the maternal hepatitis was unaffected by the pregnant state. Maternal hepatitis (type B or nontype B) had no effect on the incidence of congenital malformations, stillbirths, abortions, or intrauterine malnutrition," it did increase the incidence of prematurity (type B 31.6%; nontype B 25%; overall 2Z6%) over that seen in the general delivery population (10 to 11%). Eight mothers acquired acute type B hepatitis during the third trimestet;" two of their infants (25%) were found to be chronic asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen and to have mild, persistent elevations of SGOT for up to 45 months.