ABSTRACT
DIAGNOSIS Anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM is the diagnostic criterion for acute HAV infection.
SYMPTOMS Fever, malaise, decreased appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, jaundice.
EPIDEMIOLOGY/INCIDENCE Less than or equal to 1 per 1000 pregnancies (1). Worldwide, geographic areas can be characterized by high, intermediate, or low levels of endemicity (Fig. 29.1). Levels of endemicity are related to hygienic and sanitary conditions in the geographic areas. HAV infection is common (high or intermediate endemicity) throughout the developingworld, where infectionsmost frequently are acquired during early childhood and usually are asymptomatic or mild. In areas of high endemicity, adults are usually immune and epidemics of hepatitis A are uncommon.
