Hepatitis A infection in pregnancy is typically transmitted via contaminated food or water; intrauterine transmission is rare, and complications can include preterm labor, PROM, vaginal bleeding, and placental abruption.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Intrauterine transmission is common
• D. It never affects pregnancy

Answer: (A)

Hepatitis A in pregnancy is most often acquired through the fecal-oral route from contaminated food or water, not through the placenta. Vertical, or intrauterine, transmission is rare, so the fetus is usually not infected in utero. However, an acute HAV infection during pregnancy can be associated with obstetric complications such as preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, vaginal bleeding, and placental abruption, especially with more severe maternal illness. So the statement is true because the common transmission route is fecal-oral, intrauterine transmission is rare, and these obstetric complications can occur with HAV infection during pregnancy.