Publication:

A study on faeto-maternal outcome in pregnancy with jaundice due to hepatitis E

Background Hepatitis E virus is a non-envelope RNA virus responsible for large epidemics in Asia, the Middle east Mexico and Africa. It spreads via the feco-oral route, and has an incubation period of 8-10 weeks. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of hepatitis E during pregnancy on faeto-maternal outcome.

Methods A study on faeto-maternal outcome of 38 pregnant women admitted with jaundice due to hepatitis E to the Department of Hepatology, Shri Ramachandra Bhanj (SCB) Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India during January 2015 to December 2015.

Results 38 Pregnant women admitted to the Department of Hepatology of SCB Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India were studied. 65.7% were from rural area, 92.1% were in their third trimester of pregnancy. Serum bilirubin >10 mg in 52.19 %, SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase were raised in majority of them. Out of 38 women 32 delivered and 6 remain undelivered. In 81.25% of cases labor was spontaneous, perinatal mortality was observed in 46.87% of cases and 5 women died during child birth.

Conclusions When pregnancy is associated with jaundice due to hepatitis E, there is high perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and careful management is required for such cases.