Publication:

Successful maternal and perinatal outcome of hepatitis E in pregnancy with fulminant hepatic failure

Hepatitis E infection is an important cause of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in pregnancy in developing countries like India, with a high mortality rate. It is postulated that immunological and hormonal changes in pregnant women predispose them to developing FHF secondary to hepatitis E infection as compared to the less severe form seen in the non-pregnant population. A variation in the natural course of the disease is also seen amongst different geographical areas. Hepatitis E infection is seen to be less severe in parts of the world like Egypt, Europe and the USA as against the Indian subcontinent. The mainstay of management of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) and fulminant hepatic failure secondary to hepatitis E virus is supportive treatment. Since an increased severity of the disease is associated with the pregnant state, termination of pregnancy to alter its course is an option worth considering. Our case study showed promising results of induction of labour in a case of FHF (hepatic encephalopathy with disseminated intravascular coagulation) caused by hepatitis E, in the third trimester of pregnancy.