title: Clinical features and hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in pregnant women chronically infected with HBV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical features and hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in pregnant women chronically infected with HBV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among 1,489 pregnant women who visited our hospital in 2010, 26 were positive for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg). Of these subjects, 21 from whom informed consent was obtained were included in this study. The clinical features and HBV markers, including genotypes, were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No adverse events were observed in the subjects or the neonates during pregnancy or the perinatal period. The HBV genotypes were C in 14 cases, D in six cases, and undetermined in one case. Hepatitis B e antigens and a high viral load (>7.0 log copies/mL) were found in four and six subjects with genotype C, respectively, and in none of subjects with genotype D. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and platelet counts were within the normal ranges during pregnancy in all subjects except two and three subjects with genotype C, respectively. Three subjects with genotype C showed transient elevations of ALT after delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of subjects were anti-HBe-positive with normal ALT levels; however, some subjects with genotype C showed a high viral load, elevated ALT levels and/or low platelet counts. The pregnancies and deliveries were safe; however, transient elevations of ALT after delivery were observed in some subjects with genotype C.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan. c-kmichitaka@eph.pref.ehime.jp
authors.forename: Kojiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Michitaka
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hiraoka
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Utsunomiya
authors.forename: Haruka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tatsukawa
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.forename: Hiroka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamago
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanihira
authors.forename: Aki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasebe
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Horiike
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hiasa
authors.forename: Morikazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onji
authors.forename: Emiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ochi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D011446:Prospective Studies