Study of Hepatitis - E in Pregnancy: Maternal and Fetal Outcome

HEV infection, a major public health concern, is known to cause large scale epidemic and sporadic cases of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries. The infection primarily occurs in young adults and is generally mild and self-limiting, case fatality is higher when it occurs during pregnancy specifically in 2nd and 3rd trimester. Hepatitis E infection during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, is characterized by a more severe infection that sometimes results in fulminant hepatitis, increasing maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity.