Explainer: Study flags alarming risk of miscarriage among hepatitis C patients

A recent PGIMS-Rohtak study has revealed concerning trends in the health outcomes of hepatitis B and C patients, highlighting an alarming miscarriage rate among pregnant women with hepatitis C, and a notable pattern of household transmission in hepatitis B cases.Across the globe, the disease continues to pose major challenges, primarily spreading through unsafe blood transfusions, unprotected sex, needle sharing, and from mother to child.The alarming number of reports of the disease despite advancements in treatment and vaccination can be attributed to a lack of awareness, late diagnosis, and high transmission rates.What are the findings of the hepatitis study?The study revealed that 26 per cent hepatitis C-positive pregnant women who were being treated at PGIMS experienced miscarriages. It also identified a 13 per cent familial prevalence among hepatitis B patients, where close family members were found to be infected upon thorough investigation.Those who tested negative were immediately vaccinated to prevent further spread of the infection. The research also found that sexual transmission rates for both hepatitis B and hepatitis C were in the range of five-six per cent, underlining the importance of awareness and timely intervention.Why is the miscarriage rate so high in hepatitis patients?Although the study does not delve into the specific medical reasons behind the high miscarriage rate in hepatitis C-positive pregnant women, it clearly highlights a correlation.“A miscarriage rate of 26 per cent among these patients indicates a serious public health concern. This suggests that hepatitis C may significantly affect pregnancy outcomes, possibly due to factors like liver dysfunction, immune system compromise, or viral activity impacting maternal health. The findings emphasise the need for early diagnosis, consistent monitoring, and targeted medical care for pregnant women infected with hepatitis C to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss,” said a researcher.How many patients have been treated so far at the PGIMS Model Treatment Centre?Dr Parveen Malhotra — Senior Professor and Head of Department (Medical Gastroenterology), who oversees the Model Treatment Centre (MTC) at PGIMS under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) — said the centre had treated over 26,000 hepatitis C patients and 12,000 hepatitis B patients so far. All patients had received treatment free of cost and without any waiting period, he added, stating that this was made possible due to the efforts of a dedicated 20-member team that worked round the clock. The initiative had not only ensured timely care for infected individuals, but had also saved crores of rupees for patients from economically weaker backgrounds who could otherwise not afford the costly antiviral treatments, he added.How did Rohtak PGIMS manage to eliminate vertical transmission of hepatitis B among pregnant women?Dr Malhotra said, through the coordinated efforts of Dr Pushpa Dahiya, Head (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology), and Dr Vani Malhotra, Nodal Officer for NVHCP, the institute had successfully managed to almost entirely eliminate the vertical transmission of hepatitis B in more than 500 pregnant women. This success had been achieved by initiating timely antiviral therapy during pregnancy and ensuring that newborns received hepatitis B immunoglobulin and the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine immediately after birth.These preventive steps had significantly reduced the risk of the virus being transmitted from mother to child, setting an example of best practices in maternal and child health management, he added.What preventive actions are being taken to protect health workers from hepatitis-B?To safeguard healthcare workers from Hepatitis-B, PGIMS has implemented an extensive vaccination campaign. Dr Malhotra said more than 8,000 healthcare workers had been vaccinated so far, and the institute had already received 24,000 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine.The institution had also strengthened its screening and detection services, particularly among blood donors, he added. On average, over 70 new cases of hepatitis B and C are diagnosed every month from blood donations. PGIMS, as a high-volume hepatitis care facility, currently serves around 80 patients daily and provides a range of free services, including antiviral medications, viral load testing, biochemical investigations, fibroscan, endoscopy, and inpatient care, when necessary.

Explainer: Study flags alarming risk of miscarriage among hepatitis C patients

Also identifies notable 13% familiar prevalence among those diagnosed with B variant

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Explainer: Study flags alarming risk of miscarriage among hepatitis C patients

Also identifies notable 13% familiar prevalence among those diagnosed with B variant

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

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