[Interactions between chronic viral hepatitis C and pregnancy].

OBJECTIVES AND

METHODS

In France, the positive rate for unit-HCV antibodies in the sera of pregnant women is usually found to be between 0.7 and 3.9%. The aim of our prospective study was to determine the interactions between pregnancy and chronic viral hepatitis C in 12 pregnant women.

RESULTS

In our study, chronic viral hepatitis C did not influence maternal or neonatal outcome. The mean gestational age was 38.4 +/- 3 weeks. During follow-up, mean serum ALT levels were significantly lower (36 +/- 17 mU/mL) during the last three months of pregnancy compared to before pregnancy (237 +/- 144 mU/mL, P < 0.002) and after pregnancy (141 +/- 62 mU/mL, P < 0.0005). During the third trimester, serum ALT levels were normal in 90% of the women. However, the persistence of viremia during pregnancy and a rebound in serum ALT during the post-partum period have been noticed.

CONCLUSION

The normalization of serum ALT levels during pregnancy, the persistence of viremia, and a rebound in serum ALT during post-partum could be related to pregnancy-induced changes in the immune system.