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Feb 27, 2008Article Details
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Main Article Content
Incidence of nevirapine-associated hepatitis in an antenatal clinic
Abstract
Objective. To describe the incidence, clinical presentation
and management of nevirapine-associated hepatitis among
antiretroviral-naïve pregnant women treated with nevirapinebased
antiretroviral therapy at a dedicated antenatal
antiretroviral clinic.
Methods. Retrospective analysis of pregnant women initiated
on nevirapine-based highly active antiretroviral therapy at
a dedicated antenatal antiretroviral clinic between July 2004
and December 2006.
Results. Three hundred and ninety women were included in
the analysis. Median age was 29 (interquartile range (IQR)
26 - 32) years and median pre-treatment CD4 cell counts was
157 (IQR 104 - 193) cells/μl. Baseline alanine transaminase
(ALT) was elevated in 2.8% of women (11/390). After
initiation of nevirapine-based ART 8% (31/390) experienced
an ALT elevation. Three of these patients developed clinical
hepatitis with jaundice (0.8%, 3/390). The mean and median
time to clinical presentation was 5 weeks. Hepatitis resolved
following discontinuation of ART. Non-nevirapine regimens
were initiated following biochemical and symptomatic
improvement; symptoms did not recur.
Conclusions. Among pregnant women, nevirapine-containing
ART has a favourable safety profile, with a low incidence of
serious hepatic events.
South African Medical Journal Vol. 98 (2) 2008: pp. 116-118
