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Current Hepatology Reports
Published in: Current Hepatology Reports 4/2010

Open Access 01-11-2010

Hepatitis B Therapy in Pregnancy

Author: Natalie H. Bzowej

Published in: Current Hepatology Reports | Issue 4/2010

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Abstract

All decisions about initiating, continuing, or stopping therapy of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) during pregnancy must include an analysis of the risks and benefits for mother and fetus. The trimester of the pregnancy and the stage of the mother’s liver disease are important factors. Treatment in the third trimester may be initiated to aid in preventing perinatal transmission, which appears to be most pronounced in mothers with high viral loads. Consideration of initiating treatment in the third trimester should occur after a high viral load is documented in the latter part of the second trimester, to allow adequate time for initiation of antiviral therapy with significant viral suppression before delivery. This discussion should include the topic of breastfeeding, because it is generally not recommended while receiving antiviral therapy. Currently, lamivudine and tenofovir appear to be the therapeutic options with the most reasonable safety data in pregnancy.
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Metadata
Title
Hepatitis B Therapy in Pregnancy
Author
Natalie H. Bzowej
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Hepatology Reports / Issue 4/2010
Electronic ISSN: 2195-9595
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-010-0059-x

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