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fiogf49gjkf04 Dr Ka Yu Tse and colleagues from Hong Kong examined the impact of maternal Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier status on pregnancy outcomes.
The research team included 253 carriers of Hepatitis B surface antigen with singleton pregnancy.
The team retrospectively compared the patients with 253 controls matched for age and parity and year of delivery.
On univariable analysis, 12% of Hepatitis B surface antigen carriers had threatened preterm labour at less than 37 weeks vs 6% in controls.
The team also found that 5% of Hepatitis B surface antigen carriers had preterm birth at less than 34 weeks vs 1% in controls.
Gestational diabetes mellitus occurred in 19% of carrier patients vs 11% in controls.
The researchers observed that antepartum haemorrhage occurred in 12% of Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier patient vs 6% in controls.  | | 12% of Hepatitis B surface antigen carriers had threatened preterm labour at less than 37 weeks | | Journal of Hepatology |
The infants of carriers had lower Apgar scores at the 1st and 5th minute, and increased incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage.
On multivariable analysis, the team confirmed an association between Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state with antepartum haemorrhage.
The researchers also found an association between carriers status and gestational diabetes mellitus and threatened preterm labour.
Dr Tse's team concludes, “Hepatitis B surface antigen carriers have increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, antepartum haemorrhage, and threatened preterm labour.”
“This may be related to the chronic inflammatory state in these subjects.” “The role of chronic Hepatitis B virus infection in pregnancy complications has to be further elucidated.”
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