Hepatitis B and C Infections in Pregnant Women Undergoing Chorionic Villus Sampling in Pakistan (2023–2024): Hepatitis B and C Infections in Pregnant Women Undergoing Chorionic Villus

Shahida Parveen; Bushra Khan; Amna Aziz; Tehreem Razia; Rida Sana; Rubaida Mehmood

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i5.2834

Authors

Shahida Parveen Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Bushra Khan Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bakhtawar Amin Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Amna Aziz Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Tehreem Razia Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Rida Sana Department of Chemistry, National Fertilizer Corporation Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan
Rubaida Mehmood Department of Diagnostics Labs, MINAR Cancer Hospital, Multan, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i5.2834

Keywords:

Chorionic Villus Sampling, Viral Infection, Viral RNA, Pregnant Women

Abstract

Pregnant women with high viral loads of HBV and HCV are at increased risk of vertical transmission and long-term complications. Objectives: To determine the disease burden of hepatitis B and C infections in pregnant women who underwent chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was done in MINAR Cancer Hospital, Multan, from January 2023 to June 2024 for eighteen months using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. 1000 pregnant ladies who were scheduled for CVS were included after fulfilling the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Participants were divided into two age groups: 16–25 years and 26–50 years. Blood samples were taken and tested for HBV and HCV infections using commercial kits. The data were recorded and explored using SPSS version 24. Results: The participants had an average age of 27.78 ± 4.93 years (range: 16–46 years). HBV DNA was detected in 21 women (2.1%), while 66 (6.6%) tested positive for HCV RNA, leading to a total infection rate of 8.7%. Participants were divided into two age groups: 16–25 years (n=370) and 26–50 years (n=630). HBV infection rates were 1.6% and 2.38% in younger and older groups, respectively (P=0.418), while HCV infection rates were significantly higher in the older group (7.77% vs. 4.59%, p=0.04). Conclusion: It was concluded that the study highlights a significant prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in pregnant women undergoing CVS, emphasizing the need for routine screening and preventive strategies to reduce vertical transmission.

Author Biography

Amna Aziz, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan

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