Severe hepatitis E infection in pregnancy: a case report.
Ann Med Surg (Lond)
; 85(4): 1213-1215, 2023 Apr.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37113858
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis E virus causes self limiting hepatitis most of the times but, during pregnancy it can lead to severe hepatitis along with various complications thereby increasing the mortality. Case presentation A 27-year-old woman gravida two, para one at 38 weeks and 6 days of gestation presented with multiple episodes of nonbilious vomiting, severe dehydration, and later developed right upper quadrant abdominal pain. The patient had a positive serological test for the hepatitis E virus, and liver enzymes were severely elevated. Under supportive treatment she delivered a healthy baby, and her liver enzymes returned to normal levels after 2 weeks of delivery. Clinical discussion:
Although the hepatitis E virus usually causes self-limiting hepatitis, it can quickly progress to severe hepatitis, liver failure, and even death during pregnancy. Immunological change with a Th2 biased response and increased hormonal levels during pregnancy could possibly facilitate the development of severe liver damage. No particular drug has been approved for the treatment of hepatitis E viral infection in pregnant women, and the commonly used drugs are contraindicated due to the risk of teratogenicity. Supportive therapy and intensive monitoring are the core management techniques for hepatitis E virus infection in pregnant women.Conclusion:
Due to the high mortality risk, pregnant women should try to avoid possible exposure to the hepatitis E virus, but once infected, symptomatic therapy is the mainstay.
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Langue:
En
Journal:
Ann Med Surg (Lond)
Année:
2023
Type de document:
Article