ACOG educational bulletin. Viral hepatitis in pregnancy. Number 248, July 1998 (replaces No. 174, November 1992). American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Hepatitis A is an uncommon complication of pregnancy and is not associated with perinatal transmission. In contrast, hepatitis B virus infection is more common and clearly poses a serious risk to the household contacts and neonates of infected mothers. Accordingly, all pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B virus. Universal vaccination of all neonates with hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended. Infants delivered to HBsAg seropositive mothers also should receive HBIG and vaccination immediately after birth. Hepatitis E is extremely rare in the United States and is quite similar to hepatitis A, although perinatal transmission does occur with hepatitis E. Hepatitis C and D, which are transmitted parenterally and by sexual contact, have been associated with vertical transmission. No immunoprophylaxis currently is available for neonates of mothers with hepatitis C or E virus. Immunization against hepatitis B is protective against vertical transmission of hepatitis D.