Post-partum acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis in a hepatitis C-carrier mother
Journal
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Journal Volume
16
Journal Issue
6
Pages
705-708
Date Issued
2001
Author(s)
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection is a global health problem; however, the interaction between pregnancy and chronic hepatitis C remains controversial. A Taiwanese woman with chronic hepatitis C had an uncomplicated pregnancy and gave birth to a female baby through spontaneous vaginal delivery. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA were measured before pregnancy, in the first and third trimesters, 1 and 3 months after delivery, respectively. During her pregnancy, the serum aminotransferase levels became normalized, while the serum HCV-RNA levels declined significantly and consecutively with the lowest viral load in the third trimester. One month after delivery, she had an abrupt elevation of serum HCV-RNA level, paralleling a hepatitis flare with serum aminotransferase level more than 20-fold the upper normal limit. The serum HCV-RNA levels declined thereafter, and serum aminotransferase levels became normalized 3 months postdelivery. She was infected with HCV genotype 1a throughout the entire follow-up period, and other causes of hepatitis flare were excluded. In conclusion, post-partum acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis may occur in HCV-carrier mothers, and an abrupt elevation of serum HCV-RNA level may be associated with the acute exacerbation. ? 2001 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.
Subjects
Acute exacerbation; Chronic hepatitis; Hepatitis C virus; Post-partum; Pregnant woman
SDGs
Other Subjects
alanine aminotransferase; virus RNA; adult; article; blood level; case report; clinical feature; disease association; disease course; disease exacerbation; female; first trimester pregnancy; genotype; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; mother; pregnancy; priority journal; puerperium; Taiwan; third trimester pregnancy; vaginal delivery; virus carrier; virus load
Type
journal article