HEPATITIS A
Hepatitis A infection is usually transmitted from poorly
washed foods and beverages. It is a fully healing type of jaundice that does
not cause permanent disease. It does not create a carrier. Infection during
pregnancy does not create an anomaly or disability in the baby, it is not
teratogenic. The transmission of the hepatitis A virus to the fetus through the
placenta during pregnancy is almost non-existent.
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a virus infection that can be transmitted
sexually and with blood products. Apart from these ways, one of the most
important causes of transmission is birth. It can be passed from mother to baby
during childbirth or breastfeeding. The transition from mother to baby during
pregnancy before birth is rare, so it does not create any anomaly or
disability.
The disease somehow causes mild flu-like symptoms after an
incubation period ranging from 2 to 6 months after transmission. After this
initial infection, some of them settle permanently and this is called
"carrier." Not everyone carries this carrier, the infection is
completely cured and immunity develops.
If a person has hepatitis B during pregnancy or a carrier who
has previously had hepatitis B, it does not cause miscarriage, stillbirth or anomaly
or disability during pregnancy. However, there is a risk of passing on to the
baby during childbirth and causing illness after birth. The virus can pass into
breast milk and from there to breastfeeding, so mothers should not breastfeed.
In Hepatitis B tests performed during pregnancy, HBsAg (+)
and AntiHBs (-) indicate that this expectant mother is a carrier. A positive
HBeAg means that the risk of passing to the baby is high.
Infants born from surrogate mothers should receive the first
dose of Hepatitis B vaccine with 0.5 ml Hepatitis B immunoglobulin within the
first 12 hours after birth. The second dose of the vaccine should be given when
the baby is 1 month old and the last dose should be given when the baby is 6
months old. However, it should not be forgotten that this treatment protects
babies by 90-95%. For this reason, despite the treatment, babies should be
followed closely for the transmission of infection.
Hepatitis B vaccine is given as 3 doses in the same routine
vaccination schedule for every newborn baby whose mother has not had Hepatitis
B.
Hepatitis B vaccine is an inactivated (dead) vaccine. There
is no harm in applying to the mother during pregnancy.
Detailed
Information on Hepatitis B Tests:
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): People around this test
positive can transmit hepatitis B. If this antigen remains positive in a
person's blood for more than 6 months, this is a chronic hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg): A positive antigen indicates
that the person is severely infected with hepatitis B infection. The risk of
transmission of the virus to the fetus increases in pregnant women with HbeAg
positive.
Hepatitis B core antigen IgM-type Antibody (Anti-HBc IgM):
Indicates that hepatitis B has been infected or hepatitis B infection in the
past 6 months. Presence of this antibody indicates acute or recent hepatitis B
infection while HbsAg is negative
Hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs): This antibody occurs
during the period between the onset and recovery of hepatitis B. In addition,
in those who have hepatitis B vaccine, this antibody is positive and shows
protection.
Hepatitis B DNA (HBV DNA): It is the detection of the DNA
(genetic substance) of Hepatitis B virus, the most sensitive test. It is an
indicator of active infection.
Hepatitis B
vaccine should be given when the following two tests are negative:
- HbsAg
- Anti-HBs
In short, reminder that HbsAg is POSITIVE indicates that
there is a new or previous disease, and Anti-Hbs POSITIVE indicates immunity to
the disease. If the person has been vaccinated or encountered disease, it is
Anti-Hbs POSITIVE. Also, if a new infection is suspected with the hepatitis B
virus, these tests may not work immediately. For this reason, HBV DNA is the
most sensitive test in case of new infection. In addition, HbsAg and Anti-Hbc
IgM should be checked.
HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C is similar to Hepatitis B in terms of transition
to baby and affecting pregnancy. There is no vaccine.
HEPATITIS E
It can be transplacentally transmitted to the fetus.
Pregnancy may cause hepatitis E to progress more severely than normal.
-COLD AND FLU IN PREGNANCY
-SYPHILIS INFECTION IN PREGNANCY
-CHICKENPOX AND SHINGLES INFECTION IN PREGNANCY
-TOXOPLASM INFECTION IN PREGNANCY
