Table 4.
HBV and pregnancy | HBV and foetus |
Not increases in maternal morbidity and mortality | Maternal transmission: during delivery, intrauterine transmission and during breast feeding |
Increases HBV viremia levels and indices of cytolysis | Discordant results from pre-delivery administration of Ig and anti-HBV vaccine |
Development of complications (gestational diabetes, pre-delivery hemorrhages and pre-term delivery) | Administration of Ig and anti-HBV vaccine during delivery to prevent infection |
Higher frequency of gestational hypertension, detachment of placenta and peripartum hemorrhages in F with cirrhosis Cases of peripartum hepatitis with hepatic decompensation | Ongoing studies about the use of antiviral medicines in F with high HBV DNA levels to prevent perinataltransmission (telbivudine and tenofovir in FDA pregnancy category B) |
HBV: Hepatitis B virus; F: Female; FDA: Food and drug administration.