Hepatitis during pregnancy presents serious risks for both mother and child—risks that are particularly pronounced in India, where healthcare access and awareness levels remain inconsistent. Hepatitis B and C can pass from mother to newborn during childbirth, often resulting in lifelong infection and debilitating liver complications.
To counter this, routine screening—especially for Hepatitis B—must become a standard component of antenatal care. Early diagnosis allows for timely action, including the critical administration of both the hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin to the newborn within the first 24 hours. This approach dramatically reduces the likelihood of transmission.
However, despite the existence of national immunization programs, many rural and underserved areas continue to experience significant coverage gaps. Bridging these disparities requires a multi-pronged strategy: enhance public health education, expand access to diagnostic services, and ensure prompt vaccination. Preventive measures must also include structured counselling, stringent infection control in clinical settings, and robust surveillance systems. Collectively, these interventions can ease the nation’s hepatitis burden and protect future generations from preventable liver disease.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World during the Illness to Wellness Awareness Conference—an initiative by the Illness to Wellness Foundation—Dr. Uma Mishra, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Motherhood Hospital, offered vital insights. She outlined effective strategies to prevent hepatitis-related complications during pregnancy, clarified the safety of breastfeeding for mothers living with hepatitis, and discussed how Motherhood Hospitals tailor care programs to meet the evolving needs of women. Most importantly, she shed light on practical ways to reduce the financial burden of hepatitis treatment.
Here are the key takeaways from her thought-provoking conversation.
Q: What are the recommended strategies for preventing hepatitis transmission and complications during pregnancy?
A: Hepatitis poses a dual threat during pregnancy—endangering both the mother and her child. The primary objective of identifying hepatitis in pregnant women is twofold: to protect the mother from disease progression and, critically, to prevent vertical transmission to the newborn.
When young children contract hepatitis—particularly Hepatitis B or C—the infection often becomes chronic. Over time, it can lead to severe complications, including liver cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, and even liver cancer.
Therefore, the foremost goal is clear: detect and intervene early to break the cycle of transmission and shield both mother and child from long-term, avoidable health consequences.
Q: If a mother has hepatitis, is breastfeeding still considered safe for the newborn?
A: Breastfeeding remains essential for newborns, offering irreplaceable nutritional and immunological benefits. In cases where the mother tests positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen or Hepatitis C, healthcare providers must carefully weigh the risks against the benefits.
However, with timely intervention—specifically, vaccinating the newborn and administering hepatitis B immunoglobulin—the risk of mother-to-child transmission drops significantly. These preventive measures effectively safeguard the infant, allowing breastfeeding to continue safely.
Therefore, with proper precautions in place, breastfeeding should not only be encouraged but actively supported—even when the mother is hepatitis-positive.
Q: What key programs or services does Motherhood Hospitals provide to address the diverse healthcare needs of women?
A: We conduct regular awareness programs across corporate offices, residential societies, and community spaces to educate women—and the broader public—on the importance of hepatitis screening and timely vaccination. These outreach initiatives form a consistent part of our monthly calendar. Whenever time permits, we amplify our efforts through educational audio-visual content.
To further extend our reach, we leverage social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook by sharing short, informative interviews and expert insights. With the younger population increasingly active on these platforms, social media serves as a powerful and accessible tool for raising awareness and driving meaningful engagement around hepatitis prevention.
Q: In your view, what are the most effective ways to bring down the cost of hepatitis care without A: compromising quality?
Gastroenterologists primarily manage the treatment of hepatitis. As obstetricians, our role is largely limited to diagnosis and referral. Once we identify a hepatitis-positive patient, we immediately involve a multidisciplinary team, ensuring comprehensive care.
Research continues to play a critical role—both in developing safer, more effective medications and in reducing treatment costs. However, treatment options for certain types, such as Hepatitis A and C, remain limited, especially during pregnancy when safety becomes paramount.
Despite these challenges, ongoing research and targeted initiatives aim to bridge these gaps, improve outcomes, and advance safe therapeutic options for expectant mothers.
