Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Getting Pregnant when Husband is Being Treated for Hepatitis | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Can you please tell me whether there are any risks with getting pregnant while my husband is taking Intron A for chronic hepatitis? If so, how long after completing treatment should we wait before trying to conceive? We have been told a variety of answers to this question ranging from no problems to waiting six months. We would really appreciate your input. Thank you.— Alison | | | ANSWER |
May 25, 2001 | | | Dear Alison,
There are two concerns with getting pregnant when your husband has chronic hepatitis: one has to do with whether you have to worry about catching the hepatitis and the other with whether the medications have any risk.
Some types of chronic hepatitis can be transmitted to sexual partners or household contacts, while other types pose minimal or no risk. I am going to assume that you and your husband have already looked into this, and I will address the second issue only.
One of the medications used for chronic hepatitis C is called Ribovirax, sold under the brand name of Rebetron. Research on this medication showed that it caused birth defects in every animal studied, at doses much lower than the usual human dose. Since it isn't known how much is transferred to the woman in the semen, nor whether the medication can cause birth defects via the sperm, they recommend avoiding pregnancy until six months after the medication is stopped. Intron A, an interferon, does not have this same kind of risk, if that is the only medication that he is taking.
I know it is very hard to delay pregnancy when you feel ready for a child. The best source for information on risks for you, your husband, and your children would be the physician who is treating your husband for his hepatitis, who should know all the facts about his medications and his condition. I hope this helps you ask the right questions so you can make the decisions that are best for you and your family-to-be.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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