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Updated: May 28, 2026
04:11
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
[HBV and pregnancy]
Salvatore Nardiello1, Annarita Orsini, Ivab Gentile
1Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, AOU Seconda Universita di Napoli, Italy.
Le Infezioni in Medicina
|November 1, 2011
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women typically shows a mild clinical course, but flares are common post-delivery. Antiviral therapy in late pregnancy can reduce vertical transmission risks in high-risk cases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during pregnancy often presents a similar clinical course to non-pregnant individuals.
- Hepatitis flares are infrequent during pregnancy but common postpartum. HBV carrier status correlates with increased risks of gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and miscarriage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the management of HBV infection in pregnant women.
- To discuss the risks and benefits of antiviral therapy during pregnancy.
- To highlight strategies for preventing neonatal HBV transmission.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HBV management in pregnancy.
- Analysis of clinical outcomes and transmission risks.
- Evaluation of immunoprophylaxis and antiviral therapy efficacy.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis flares are rare during pregnancy but frequent postpartum.
- HBV carrier status is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes like gestational diabetes and preterm labor.
- Neonatal immunoprophylaxis is highly effective but residual transmission risk exists with high maternal HBV DNA levels.
Conclusions:
- Antiviral therapy in the third trimester can mitigate residual neonatal HBV transmission risk in high-viremic pregnant women.
- Treatment decisions for pregnant women with HBV require balancing antiviral risks against hepatitis flare progression.
- Effective neonatal immunoprophylaxis significantly reduces vertical HBV transmission.
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