Guideline:
Viral hepatitis in pregnancy
Bibliographic Source(s)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Viral hepatitis in pregnancy. Washington (DC): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2007 Oct. 15 p. (ACOG practice bulletin; no. 86). [69 references]
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
Guideline Category
Diagnosis
Evaluation
Management
Prevention
Risk Assessment
Screening
Treatment
Intended Users
Physicians
Guideline Objective(s)
- To aid practitioners in making decisions about appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care
- To describe the specific subtypes of hepatitis their implications during pregnancy the risk of perinatal transmission and issues related to both treatment and prevention of infection
Target Population
Pregnant women
Interventions and Practices Considered
- Recognition of clinical manifestations of hepatitis
- General diagnostic tests
- Serum transaminase levels
- Serum bilirubin levels
- Specific diagnostic/screening tests
- Hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HbsAg) HBV surface IgG antibody (anti-HBS)
- Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV)
- Hepatitis D virus (HDV) antigen in hepatic tissue IgM antibody to HDV
- Hepatitis E virus-specific antibodies
- Referral of chronic hepatitis carriers to liver disease experts for treatment and management
- Reporting to health departments
- Routine prenatal screening of all pregnancy women for hepatitis B by HBsAg testing
- Immunoprophylaxis of newborns born to hepatitis B carriers with hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine
- Vaccination of infants and at-risk individuals with hepatitis B vaccine particularly heath care workers.
- Screening of at-risk pregnant women for HCV infection (routine screening considered but not recommended)
- Considerations for amniocentesis route of delivery and breastfeeding in women infected with hepatitis
Major Outcomes Considered
- Incidence of viral hepatitis infections: hepatitis A B C D and E
- Incidence of vertical perinatal transmission of viral hepatitis
- Incidence of accidental exposure of healthcare workers
Methods Used to Collect/Select Evidence
Hand-searches of Published Literature (Primary Sources)
Hand-searches of Published Literature (Secondary Sources)
Searches of Electronic Databases
Description of Methods used to Collect/Select the Evidence
The MEDLINE database the Cochrane Library and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' own internal resources and documents were used to conduct a literature search to locate relevant articles published between January 1985 and February 2007. The search was restricted to articles published in the English language. Priority was given to articles reporting results of original research although review articles and commentaries also were consulted. Abstracts of research presented at symposia and scientific conferences were not considered adequate for inclusion in this document. Guidelines published by organizations or institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were reviewed and additional studies were located by reviewing bibliographies of identified articles.
Number of Source Documents
Not stated
Methods Used to Assess the Quality and Strength of the Evidence
Weighting According to a Rating Scheme (Scheme Given)
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Evidence
Studies were reviewed and evaluated for quality according to the method outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:
I Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.
II-1 Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.
II-2 Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies preferably from more than one center or research group.
II-3 Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments also could be regarded as this type of evidence.
III Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience descriptive studies or reports of expert committees.
Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Systematic Review
Description of the Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Not stated
Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Expert Consensus
Description of Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Analysis of available evidence was given priority in formulating recommendations. When reliable research was not available expert opinions from obstetrician–gynecologists were used. See also the "Rating Scheme for the Strength of Recommendations" field regarding Grade C recommendations.
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Recommendations
Based on the highest level of evidence found in the data recommendations are provided and graded according to the following categories:
Level A — Recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence.
Level B — Recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.
Level C — Recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion.
Cost Analysis
Published cost analyses were of screening and vaccinating for viral hepatitis were reviewed.
Method of Guideline Validation
Internal Peer Review
Description of Method of Guideline Validation
Practice Bulletins are validated by two internal clinical review panels composed of practicing obstetrician-gynecologists generalists and sub-specialists. The final guidelines are also reviewed and approved by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Executive Board.
Major Recommendations
The grades of evidence (I-III) and levels of recommendation (A-C) are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field.
The following recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence (Level A):
- Routine prenatal screening of all pregnant women by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing is recommended.
- Newborns born to hepatitis B carriers should receive combined immunoprophylaxis consisting of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
- Hepatitis B infection is a preventable disease and all at-risk individuals particularly health care workers should be vaccinated. All infants should receive the hepatitis B vaccine series as part of the recommended childhood immunization schedule.
- Breastfeeding is not contraindicated in women with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection with appropriate hygienic precautions in those chronically infected with hepatitis B if the infant receives HBIG passive prophylaxis and vaccine active prophylaxis or in women with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
The following recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence (Level B):
- Routine prenatal HCV screening is not recommended; however women with significant risk factors for infection should be offered antibody screening.
- Route of delivery has not been shown to influence the risk of vertical HCV transmission and cesarean delivery should be reserved for obstetric indications in women with HCV infection.
The following recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion (Level C):
- The risk of transmission of hepatitis B associated with amniocentesis is low.
- Susceptible pregnant women who are at risk for hepatitis B infections should be specifically targeted for vaccination.
Definitions:
Grades of Evidence
I Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.
II-1 Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.
II-2 Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies preferably from more than one center or research group.
II-3 Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments also could be regarded as this type of evidence.
III Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience descriptive studies or reports of expert committees.
Levels of Recommendation
Level A — Recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence.
Level B — Recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.
Level C — Recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion.
Clinical Algorithm(s)
None provided
Type of Evidence supporting the Recommendations
The type of supporting evidence is identified and graded for each recommendation (see "Major Recommendations").
Potential Benefits
Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment and management of viral hepatitis in pregnant women
Potential Harms
Not stated
Contraindications
The use of ribavirin is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Qualifying Statements
These guidelines should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure. Variations in practice may be warranted based on the needs of the individual patient resources and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice.
Description of Implementation Strategy
An implementation strategy was not provided.
Implementation Tools
Audit Criteria/Indicators
Foreign Language Translations
Patient Resources
For information about availability see the "Availability of Companion Documents" and "Patient Resources" fields below.
IOM Care Need
Getting Better
Living with Illness
Staying Healthy
IOM Domain
Effectiveness
Bibliographic Source(s)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Viral hepatitis in pregnancy. Washington (DC): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2007 Oct. 15 p. (ACOG practice bulletin; no. 86). [69 references]
Adaptation
Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.
Source(s) of Funding
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Guideline Committee
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins - Obstetrics
Composition of Group that Authored the Guideline
Not stated
Financial Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest
Not stated
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
Guideline Availability
Electronic copies: None available
Print copies: Available for purchase from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Distribution Center PO Box 4500 Kearneysville WV 25430-4500; telephone 800-762-2264 ext. 192; e-mail: sales@acog.org. The ACOG Bookstore is available online at the ACOG Web site.
Availability of Companion Documents
Proposed performance measures are included in the original guideline document.
Patient Resources
The following are available:
- Hepatitis B virus in pregnancy. Atlanta (GA): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2008. Available from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Web site. Copies are also available in Spanish.
- Protecting yourself against hepatitis B. Atlanta (GA): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 1998. Available from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Web site. Copies are also available in Spanish.
Print copies: Available for purchase from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Distribution Center PO Box 4500 Kearneysville WV 25430-4500; telephone 800-762-2264 ext. 192; e-mail: sales@acog.org. The ACOG Bookstore is available online at the ACOG Web site.
Please note: This patient information is intended to provide health professionals with information to share with their patients to help them better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. By providing access to this patient information it is not the intention of NGC to provide specific medical advice for particular patients. Rather we urge patients and their representatives to review this material and then to consult with a licensed health professional for evaluation of treatment options suitable for them as well as for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. This patient information has been derived and prepared from a guideline for health care professionals included on NGC by the authors or publishers of that original guideline. The patient information is not reviewed by NGC to establish whether or not it accurately reflects the original guideline's content.
NGC STATUS
This NGC summary was completed by ECRI Institute on July 30 2008. The information was verified by the guideline developer on August 20 2008.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
This NGC summary is based on the original guideline which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.
NGC Disclaimer
The National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC) does not develop produce approve or endorse the guidelines represented on this site.
All guidelines summarized by NGC and hosted on our site are produced under the auspices of medical specialty societies relevant professional associations public or private organizations other government agencies health care organizations or plans and similar entities.
Guidelines represented on the NGC Web site are submitted by guideline developers and are screened solely to determine that they meet the NGC Inclusion Criteria which may be found at http://www.guideline.gov/about/inclusion.aspx .
NGC AHRQ and its contractor ECRI Institute make no warranties concerning the content or clinical efficacy or effectiveness of the clinical practice guidelines and related materials represented on this site. Moreover the views and opinions of developers or authors of guidelines represented on this site do not necessarily state or reflect those of NGC AHRQ or its contractor ECRI Institute and inclusion or hosting of guidelines in NGC may not be used for advertising or commercial endorsement purposes.
Readers with questions regarding guideline content are directed to contact the guideline developer.
Tools
No Quick Reference tools have been developed.