Hepatitis B in pregnancy: challenges and treatment
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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Silvia Degli Esposti1, Dhvani Shah
1The Alpert Medical School, Department of Medicine, 97 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Silvia_Degli_Esposti@Brown.edu
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) during pregnancy presents unique management challenges. Varying aspects of care must be considered, including the effects of HBV on maternal and fetal health, effects of pregnancy on the course of HBV infection, treatment of HBV during and after pregnancy, and prevention of perinatal infection. Antiretroviral therapy has not been associated with increased risk of birth defects or toxicity, but despite studies designed to elucidate the drug efficacy and safety in affected individuals and the developing fetus, recommendations are inconclusive. Clinicians and patients must make individualized decisions after carefully evaluating the risks and benefits summarized in this article.
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