[Chronic active hepatitis and pregnancy. A case report and review of the literature (author's transl)].

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus from mother to infant has been studied in chronic HBs Ag carriers. The frequency is low in Europe and USA (5 p. 100), contrasting with about 60 p. cent in Asia. The babies become usually chronic HBs Ag carriers. It is possible that chronic carriers have in fact chronic active liver diseases that are not recognized. Well documented observations of authenticated chronic hepatitis are so rare, that it is impossible to have a good idea of the maternal prognosis and to know the frequency of illness in the baby. We report the case of a 28 years old woman chronic active HBs Ag hepatitis diagnosed 2 years ago and treated with corticoids. After a normal pregnancy a healthy baby is born. THe HBs Ag is negative in the cord blood and in the serum. The maternal hepatitis has a good evolution. Three months later the baby becomes icteric, the HBs Ag is positive in the serum and he dies after 3 days. The prevention of such a bad evolution requires a prophylactic treatment. HBs immunoglobulins given to infants within 48 hours after birth and thereafter monthly for 6 months seems to be the better management.