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Hepatitis B in Pregnancy

  • Complex Clinical Issues (SA Harrison and NS Reau, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Hepatitis B remains a global health issue, despite an effective vaccine. Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B has become increasingly recognized, especially in those patients with high maternal viremia. In a woman of childbearing age, carefully assessing disease status and urgency of treatment is key, along with discussion of family planning, timing and choice of therapy. In a pregnant patient with chronic hepatitis B, treatment in the third trimester may be considered in those with HBV DNA levels >107 copies (2 × 106 IU/ml) and may reduce the perinatal transmission rate, but a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits is essential. Duration of antiviral therapy depends upon the indication for treatment as those individuals treated for active disease from the hepatitis B would need long term therapy, while those treated in the third trimester only to prevent MTCT may have therapy discontinued.

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Disclosure

Tran TT is a consultant for Gilead Sciences, BMS, Novartis and receives honoraria from BMS and Gilead.

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  1. Hepatology and Liver Transplant Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Tram T. Tran

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  1. Tram T. Tran
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Correspondence to Tram T. Tran.

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Tran, T.T. Hepatitis B in Pregnancy. Curr Hepatitis Rep 12, 1–6 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-012-0154-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-012-0154-2

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