Hepatitis B virus and pregnancy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is very common, with over 350 million chronically infected people worldwide. This review plans to answer some key questions regarding hepatitis B infection during pregnancy, in order to provide healthcare professionals with updated information on the current knowledge in this field. The focus is on the following topics: the main risk factors associated with vertical transmission of HBV in pregnant women who are chronically infected, the influence of pregnancy on HBV viral load, and the effect of pregnancy on the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B. Some recommendations have also been made that may be effective in decreasing the vertical transmission rates of chronic viral hepatitis.