Articles
Managing Hepatitis B During Pregnancy
by Manya Verma Health care and lifestyleIntroduction: Hepatitis B can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, and
cancer. It is communicable through blood, open sores, or body fluids and it can
be fatal in absence of proper treatment. An adult’s immune system can fight
this disease off, but it can be particularly dangerous if one gets it at birth
as per experts from pediatrics hospital
in Gurgaon.
Effect of Hepatitis B Virus on Pregnancy
Though generally,
HBV is not associated with birth mortality, but an acute level of HBV infection
has been associated with higher incidence of low birth weight and prematurity. The
reason explained by best gynecologist in
Gurgaon for normal delivery is that during pregnancy a woman’s body is
already undergoing many hormonal changes, which weakens the immune system
against HBV. Depending upon the extent of infection the best obstetrician in Gurgaon recommends constant monitoring and, if
necessary, administering treatment shortly after delivery.
Treatment
The decision of treatment
of HBV pregnancy must include an analysis of the risks and benefits for the
mother and fetus. The major concern for the mother is the consequences of the
treatment on short- and long-term liver disease for the fetus is the risk of
exposure to potentially harmful drugs during early embryogenesis.
Prevention
Only being
tested positive for hepatitis B is not enough, it is also necessary to check
the levels of virus in your blood. If you test positive for hepatitis B, blood
work to check whether you have a high level of the hepatitis B virus in the
blood or not is necessary so that accordingly a specialist will decide the
necessary course of treatement. A medication suggested by all doctors including
best lady gynecologist in Gurgaon
stops the hepatitis B virus from multiplying, thereby stopping the virus
crossing the placenta to infect your baby. This treatment is considered safe
for the mother and the baby and even while breastfeeding.
In order to
protect the newborn from catching the infection following two injections are
given soon after delivery:
1. The first
dose of the hepatitis B vaccine
2. A dose of
hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG)
Within 12 hours
of birth, these injections increase the baby’s immunity against this infection
by 95%. This does not compensate for the addition dosage required at six weeks,
three and five months of age to ensure long-term protection. The baby should also
have a blood test at nine months of age to make sure it is fully protected from
infection.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is
the most natural thing after delivery and it generally does not increase the
risk of mother to baby transmission of hepatitis B. However, as per the best gynae doctor in Gurgaon there
is potential risk of transmission when the mother has cracked or bleeding
nipples and hence, they recommend a nipple cover or shield while feeding.
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About Manya Verma 
Health care and lifestyle
60 connections, 1 recommendations, 202 honor points.Joined APSense since, June 18th, 2018, From Gurgaon, India.
Created on Apr 25th 2019 06:47. Viewed 406 times.
