title: Hepatitis A virus infection during pregnancy in Korea: Hepatitis A infection on pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there is a large body of data on acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) worldwide, data regarding the occurrence of HAV during pregnancy is limited. It is commonly acknowledged that HAV is not associated with severe outcomes or complications during pregnancy. In contrast, there are several reported cases of vertical HAV transmission. Moreover, it has been recently reported that HAV infection during pregnancy is associated with gestational complications. In Korea, the incidence of HAV infection has increased from 317 cases in 2002 to 13,117 cases in 2009. However, HAV infection during pregnancy is rarely reported in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted as a retrospective cohort series of pregnant women presenting to Korea University Medical Center between January 2000 and October 2009 in whom a diagnosis of HAV infection was made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During study period, there were 12 cases of HAV in pregnant women, including two cases with preterm contraction, two cases with cholestatic hepatitis, and one case with fetal ascites and intra-abdominal calcification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HAV infection during pregnancy is associated with high prevalence of maternal and fetal complications. Because the incidence of HAV infection in women of reproductive age is increasing, a further focus on preventing HAV infection during pregnancy is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Geum Joon
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon Byoung
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Ri
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Seol
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Jeong
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hai Joong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Hepatitis A; Pregnancy; Pregnancy complications