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Article
The Effect of Hepatitis C on Maternal Bile Acid Level and the Fetal Left Ventricular Tei Index
Marshall Journal of Medicine
  • Kelly Cummings, Marshall University
  • Jesse Cottrell, Marshall University
  • Songthip Ounpraseuth, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  • Ryan Stone
  • David G. Chaffin, Joan C Edawrds School of Medicine
  • Everett Magann, University of Arkansas
Author Credentials
Kelly Cummings MD Jesse Cottrell MD Songthip Ounpraseuth PhD Ryan Stone MD David G. Chaffin MD Everett Magann MD
Keywords
  • cholestasis,
  • fetus,
  • heart,
  • hepatitis C,
  • pregnancy,
  • Tei index
Abstract

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a common form of liver disease encountered in pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if hepatitis C is associated with elevated maternal serum bile acids and abnormal fetal cardiac function measured by the left ventricular Tei index in the absence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. This is a prospective cohort study on pregnant women with hepatitis C seen through Marshall University’s high-risk obstetrics clinic from 2013 to 2014. Women with hepatitis C had a laboratory evaluation and an ultrasound on the fetus to calculate the left ventricular Tei index. Demographic information and delivery outcomes were recorded. There were 77 participants with hepatitis C recruited and consented for this study. Sixty-one participants had complete laboratory and delivery information available for analysis. Twenty-one participants had a viral load that was not detectable and 40 participants had a detectable viral load. The mean viral load overall was 1943771 IU/mL (SD 4257143). There was no difference in Tei index between detectable and non-detectable viral load, 0.41 and 0.38 respectively (p = 0.41). There was no statistical difference in bile acid level between detectable and undetectable viral load, 12 and 8 µmol/L respectively (p = 0.05). Hepatic liver disease manifested by elevated hepatitis C viral load or elevated bile acids did not affect the left ventricular Tei index.

Citation Information
Kelly Cummings, Jesse Cottrell, Songthip Ounpraseuth, Ryan Stone, et al.. "The Effect of Hepatitis C on Maternal Bile Acid Level and the Fetal Left Ventricular Tei Index" p. 75
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david_chaffin/4/