Viral hepatitis in pregnancy

Fifty pregnant women with viral hepatitis were compared with 31 non-pregnant women with viral hepatitis in a prospective case-control study. The two groups were matching except for the serum bilirubin level and area of residence. Seven pregnant women died while none of the control patients died and the difference between the two groups was significant. More than 80% of the deaths occurred in the third trimester and most of them were post-partum deaths. Except for a higher incidence of pre-term birth, the outcome of pregnancy in the case group was not affected. It is concluded that pregnancy is a risk factor which increases the mortality of viral hepatitis and that viral hepatitis does not affect the outcome of pregnancy except for pre-term birth.