HEV in pregnancy

Q: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is most life-threatening in pregnancy when it occurs in? - select one

A) First trimester

B) Second trimester

C) Third trimester

Answer: C

HEV infection in pregnancy is unusually associated with high mortality up to 25 percent. Pregnant patients are more prone to developing acute hepatic failure if they contract HEV. Liver failure is more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. Fortunately, in endemic areas, if a female child is exposed to HEV early in life, it reduces the risk of acute liver failure in pregnancy if re-infected later in life.

In endemic countries, poor nutritional status and lack of access to medical care also play a part in this high mortality.

#hepatology

#Ob-gyn

#ID

References:

1. Khuroo MS, Teli MR, Skidmore S, et al. Incidence and severity of viral hepatitis in pregnancy. Am J Med 1981; 70:252.

2. Patra S, Kumar A, Trivedi SS, et al. Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with acute hepatitis E virus infection. Ann Intern Med 2007; 147:28.

3. Navaneethan U, Al Mohajer M, Shata MT. Hepatitis E and pregnancy: understanding the pathogenesis. Liver Int 2008; 28:1190.