— Christine M. Kukka, Project Manager, HBV Advocate
One-quarter of hepatitis B-infected women have surges in their liver enzymes, indicating liver damage and inflammation, after giving birth, according to a report published in the November 2014 issue of the journal Gut.
The "flares" are spikes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. When these ALT enzymes climb above normal, which is between 7 to 35 international units per liter (IU/L) for women, it indicates liver cell damage from the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
The researchers measured ALT levels in 108 women's blood samples within six to 12 weeks after they gave birth and again at 12 months. They also monitored the women's viral load (HBV DNA) and their hepatitis B "e" antigen (HBeAg) status.
Twenty-seven of the 108 new mothers (25%) experienced surges in their ALT levels, which ranged from 38 to 1,654 IU/L. All of these flares were short-lived and none appeared to cause lingering or severe liver damage. HBeAg-positive women had more flares than HBeAg-negative women.
Researchers speculate the postpartum flares may be linked to changes in the women's immune systems following childbirth.
Labels: childbirth, perinatal flares, Women
