Key result
Intrauterine transmission of hepatitis A was confirmed in a fetus presenting with ascites and meconium peritonitis after maternal infection at 20 weeks' gestation.
Case Report (n=1)
This case report provides the first documented evidence of intrauterine transmission of hepatitis A virus, presenting with fetal ascites and meconium peritonitis.
May prompt fetal monitoring after maternal hepatitis A; single case leaves open incidence and management implications.
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A is a common, self-limited disease transmitted by fecal-oral contamination. CASE: A 23-year-old woman, para 2-0-0-2, developed hepatitis A at 20 weeks' gestation. At 27 weeks, ultrasound revealed polyhydramnios and fetal ascites. Hepatitis A immunoglobulin M antibody in fetal blood obtained by funipuncture confirmed acute hepatitis A infection in the fetus. Polyhydramnios and ascites persisted until 35 weeks, when the fetus developed ultrasound signs of meconium peritonitis, and delivery was accomplished uneventfully. Meconium peritonitis was diagnosed in the neonatal period and treated surgically. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of intrauterine transmission of hepatitis A. The disease presented with fetal ascites and was confirmed by positive fetal blood serology.
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Leikin et al. (1996) conducted a case report in Hepatitis A in pregnancy (n=1). Hepatitis A infection during pregnancy was evaluated on Intrauterine transmission of hepatitis A virus. Intrauterine transmission of hepatitis A was confirmed in a fetus presenting with ascites and meconium peritonitis after maternal infection at 20 weeks' gestation.
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