Hepatic flare after telbivudine withdrawal and efficacy of postpartum antiviral therapy for pregnancies with chronic hepatitis B virus.

Background and Aim: The efficacy of telbivudine for breaking vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus has been well established. Data on the risk of postpartum flare after telbivudine withdrawal and efficacy of extended antiviral therapy after delivery are limited.
Methods: Chronic hepatitis B virus-infected women who received telbivudine beginning at week 24 or 28 of gestation were enrolled and then followed up to 52 weeks postpartum. Virological and biochemical parameters were assessed.
Results: Of the 241 women who finished 52 weeks of follow-up, 33.6% had elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) during pregnancy. Telbivudine administration resulted in ALT normalization in 85.2% before delivery. Compared with women having a normal ALT level throughout pregnancy, those with elevated ALT had a significantly higher rate of ALT flare after telbivudine withdrawal (25.0% vs 11.9%; χ ²  = 4.273, P = 0.039). Multivariate analysis indicated that only ALT elevation during pregnancy correlated with postpartum flare after telbivudine withdrawal. Those women with elevated ALT during pregnancy continued antiviral treatment to 52 weeks postpartum and had a significantly higher HBeAg seroconversion rate (P = 0.001) and a notable decrease in HBsAg titers (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: It is safe for the majority of women to withdraw telbivudine after delivery, whereas exciting serological response encourages extended antiviral therapy for mother with ALT elevation during pregnancy.
(© 2016 The Authors Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)