THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY AMONGST HEPATITIS B VIRUS POSITIVE WOMEN IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN NIGERIA

Umar Amina Gambo*, Ukwu Aaron Eze, Shehu Constance Egendu, Yakubu Abdulmuminu, Nasir Sadiya and Adoke Abdullahi Umar

ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection occurs worldwide, and is particularly endemic in sub-Saharan
Africa. Viral hepatitis due to Hepatitis B infection has the same frequency in the pregnant and non - pregnant
populations. The aim of the study is to determine the outcome of pregnancy in the presence of HBV infection
among pregnant women attending the Ante-Natal Care clinic and to find out the risk factors for acquiring HBV
infection. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and outcome of pregnancy in the
presence of Hepatitis B Virus infection among pregnant women attending Ante-Natal Care clinic of the Usmanu
Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. To find out the risk factors for acquiring the infection. Design: It
was a prospective study carried out from November 2012 to August 2013. Setting: Ante-Natal Care (ANC) clinic
of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospita, Sokoto.
Nigeria. Subjects: Pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic. Intervention: Hepatitis B immunoglobulin
were administered to neonates of seropositive mothers Outcome Measures: Hepatitis B serology, mode of
delivery, gestational age at delivery, APGAR scores and birth weight. Result: The sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B
virus infection among the women was 7.7%. The seropositive mothers were found to have a twofold risk of
developing urinary tract infection (RR- 1.99. CI -0.53,7.44), though not statistically significant-P-value- 0.32).
However, there was no adverse maternal or fetal outcome and no identifiable risk factors among respondents.
Conclusion: Hepatitis B virus infection is endemic in our region, routine antenatal screening of pregnant women
and early active/passive immunisation of exposed neonates to reduce this rate in the unborn child is necessary.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Pregnancy Outcome.