Korean J Med.
2012 Jul;83(1):50-55.
Chronic Hepatitis B in Pregnancy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. gy.gwak@samsung.com
Abstract
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during pregnancy brings up unique management challenges. Varying aspects of care must be considered, including the effects of pregnancy on the course of HBV infection, effects of HBV infection on maternal and fetal health, treatment of HBV during and after pregnancy, and prevention of perinatal infection. For those with chronic HBV infection, the course of disease is usually unchanged during pregnancy. However, flares have been reported shortly after delivery. Women with high HBV DNA titer have an increased likelihood of perinatal transmission and may contribute to the failure of current passive-active immunoprophylaxis at birth. The aim of the present review is to provide a tool that may help physicians to manage correctly HBV infection in pregnancy.