Abstract
Background: Hepatitis E is associated with poor feto-maternal outcome. Patients with acute hepatitis E who are pregnant
usually require hospital admission and monitoring with liver function tests and clotting profile.
Methods: Data of women with clinical presentation of jaundice during pregnancy and who were diagnosed as acute
hepatitis E was collected on pre-structured questionnaire after obtaining consent. Data were entered in Statistical Package
for Social Sciences for analysis.
Abstract
Results: Three hundred and thirty three women had positive serology for hepatitis E IgM. Out of these three hundred were
in last trimester of their pregnancy. The gestational age of two hundred and thirty two (77%) women was less than 37 weeks
at presentation. Six (2%) pregnancies ended up in miscarriage, fifty four (16 %) had fetal demise in maternal womb while two
hundred and seventy three (82%) were viable fetus. One third of live born babies were kept in NICU. Indications of neonatal
admission were respiratory distress in 57(72%), jaundice neonatorum in 12(15%), asphyxia neonatorum in 9(12%), while
one (1%) had transient tachypnea. Neonates who died in first week of their life were 18(23%).The cause of neonatal death
was respiratory distress in 12 (67%) and anoxia in remaining 6 (33%) neonates. Most of the women were discharged home
however maternal mortality was recorded in 80(24%) patients, mainly in postpartum period 73(91%).
Conclusion: Pregnant women with acute hepatitis E have more complicated course of this viral infection with adverse fetal
and maternal implications.
Corresponding Author | Dr. Rashida Sultana, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Azra
Naheed Medical College, Lahore Email: drrashidasultana@gmail.com
Objective: To evaluate maternal and fetal outcome among pregnant women who have positive serology for hepatitis E IgM.
