title: Hepatitis E -- A preventable health issue -- endangering pregnant women's life and foetal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the clinical spectrum, complications and pregnancy outcome in women with Hepatitis E.
  
  
  METHODS
  The descriptive prospective study was conducted at the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Red Crescent General Hospital and Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Hyderabad, from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013. All pregnant women with Hepatitis E positive on virology screening were included. The subjects were enrolled from the out-patient department as well as from among those admitted in either Obstetrics or Medical wards. Data was obtained through a predesigned proforma, and analysed using SPSS 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean age of the 45 women in the study was 27.78±6.742. There were 21(46.7%) women in 21-30 years age group, 22(48.9) were multiparous, 31(68.9%) were uneducated, and 29(64.4%) were from poor social class. Besides, late second trimester and third trimester of pregnancy was found in 27(60%), unstable condition 10(22.22%), disturbed liver function test 24(53.3%) and raised serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level >101u/l 27(60%), deranged coagulation profile such as raised prothrombin time 25(55.5%), and activated partial thromboplastin time 18(40%)cases. Overall 36(80%) women were discharged, while 9 (20%) died. Besides, 10(24.4%) babies needed intensive care, 13(42.2%) foetuses died during intrauterine life, 5(11%) were stillborn, while 17(37.8%) were alive and were discharged home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnant women with Hepatitis E were more vulnerable as their life, health and foetal outcome suffered a lot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Liquat Univeristy of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh.
authors.forename: Meharun Nissa
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Khaskheli
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Liquat Univeristy of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh.
authors.forename: Shahla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baloch
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Liquat Univeristy of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh.
authors.forename: Aneela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheeba
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Liquat Univeristy of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh.
authors.forename: Sarmad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baloch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D050497:Stillbirth; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: Hepatitis E, Pregnancy, Morbidities, Mortalities.