[Clinical characteristics and gestational complications associated with acute hepatitis a in pregnancy].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute hepatitis A was recently significant increased among women with gestational age in Korea. However, the clinical course and gestational complications have not been fully elucidated in pregnant patients with acute hepatitis A. We evaluated the clinical impact of acute HAV infection in pregnancy.

METHODS

Twelve pregnant women out of 85 female patients with acute hepatitis A during 6 years were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The median age of the pregnant group was 26.5 years old. The number of patient with acute hepatitis A were 5 cases in the 1st trimester, 3 cases in the 2nd and 4 cases in the 3rd. 4 cases had significant gestational complications. One case experienced the abortion in 1st trimester and one fetal distress was noted in 3rd trimester. The latter case was delivered of a low birth weight infant (2,390 g) caused by premature rupture of membrane in 36 weeks of gestational age. Other two cases experienced premature contraction and they had been required tocolytic treatment. But, all mothers featured full recovery from HAV infection. Except one aborted fetus and one premature birth, Newborn babies were not affected by maternal hepatitis A.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute HAV infection during pregnancy may be associated with the risk of gestational complications. HAV serology and vaccination for women with gestation age should be considered at high prevalence area of acute hepatitis A.