View all Updates Here
Maternal hepatitis B and hepatitis C carrier status influences perinatal outcomes
A study in the latest issue of Liver International investigates the influence of maternal hepatitis B and hepatitis C carrier status on perinatal outcomes.
Dr Laura Connell and colleagues from Florida, USA examined the association between maternal hepatitis B and C mono- and co-infections with singleton pregnancy outcomes in the state of Florida.
The research team analyzed all Florida births from 1998 to 2007 using birth certificate records linked to hospital discharge data.
The team's main outcomes of interest were selected pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, fetal distress, neonatal jaundice and congenital anomaly.
Women with Hep B were less likely to have infants born small gestational age
Liver International
The study sample consisted of 1,670,369 records. Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and all forms of substance abuse were more frequent in mothers with hepatitis B and C infection.
The research team found that important socio-demographical variables and obstetric complications, women with hepatitis C infection were more likely to have infants born preterm, with low birth weight and congenital anomaly.
In addition, women with hepatitis B infection were less likely to have infants born small gestational age.
Dr Connell's team concluded, "Our findings provide further understanding of the association between maternal hepatitis B or C carrier status and perinatal outcomes."
"Infants born to women with hepatitis C infection appear to be at risk for poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight and congenital anomaly."
Liver Int 2011: 31(8): 1163–1170
29 August 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment