Effect of viral hepatitis E on maternal and fetal outcome

Viral hepatitis in pregnancy has been a subject of continuing interest. It is a major cause of enteric transmission of non A and non B hepatitis and is usually self limiting. However in pregnant women, it is more severe. This prospective study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro from May 2013 to July 2014 to know the frequency and outcome of women with hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Among the women with jaundice, sixty eight pregnant women were selected as cases and 16 non pregnant women were selected as control and a comparative study was done. Blood sample were taken at the beginning of the pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Serology was done for HEV and other tests included blood picture, hepatic and kidney function tests. All women underwent ultrasound examination. Hepatitis E was found in 77.9% of pregnant women and 25% in non pregnant women. The commonest age group was between 21-25 years. The liver function test and renal function test were not significantly different in the two groups. No virus was detected in 9 (13.2%) cases and 8 (15%) control. The maternal mortality was 19.1% in cases. The fetal loss was found in 42.6% of cases. Pregnancy with hepatitis E is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcome.