Fetomaternal outcome with hepatitis e in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE To assess the maternal morbidity and mortality and fetal outcome with hepatitis E (HEV) in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from May 2008 to April 2010. METHODOLOGY Thirty patients admitted at Gynae Ward with serologically proven HEV in pregnancy were included in the study. All these patients were followed during their hospital stay with liver function tests and coagulation profile. Maternal morbidity and mortality and fetal outcome were recorded. RESULTS Maximum maternal morbidities were noted in patients who presented in 3rd trimester, both clinically and derangement of haematological and biochemical tests. Out of 30 patients, 08 patients expired with maternal mortality rate of 29.3% and rest were discharged safely. Perinatal mortality rate was 30.3 per 1000 live births. CONCLUSION Hepatitis E runs a fulminant course during pregnancy with very high mortality rate especially during third trimester and postpartum period.