Vertical transmission of viral hepatitis

Hepatitis in pregnancy

The study of viral hepatitis was expanded over the past decade with the emergence of new viruses, therapies, and vaccination guidelines as well as new data on the risks of perinatal transmission. There are now at least six hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis A and E are causes of epidemic, enteric infection and do not carry a significant risk of chronic infection. Hepatitis B, C, D, and G are hematogenously spread and are significant causes of chronic hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cirrhosis. The following report reviews the types of hepatitis as well as the consequences of infection to the mother and fetus.

Hepatitis E: A newcomer to the hepatitis alphabet - Case report and review of the literature

The first Canadian case of hepatitis E is described in a patient who travelled to Asia for a six-month period and spent most of his time in India. Hepatitis E shares some similarities with hepatitis A, notably the mode of transmission and the absence of chronic course. However, a few important differences have been noted, including a higher mortality rate and a high fatality rate in pregnant women. Hepatitis E is very common in developing countries and should be suspected more often in individuals with gastrointestinal complaints returning from endemic areas.