Chandigarh, March 31, 2026: Unified efforts by the Departments of Gastroenterolog Hepatobiliary, Critical Care and Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Fortis Hospital Mohali were able to save the life of a critically-ill 32-year-old woman, who was six-months pregnant and suffering from Hepatitis E and multi-organ dysfunction. Hepatitis E during pregnancy is a serious medical condition both for the unborn baby and the mother, who can develop Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF).

The six-month pregnant patient was rushed to the Emergency Department at Fortis Hospital Mohali with high fever, jaundice, nausea, dark urine and pale stools. Medical investigations such as anti-HEV IgM/IgG tests confirmed that she had been suffering from Hepatitis E. Dr Divya Awasthi, Additional Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital Mohali, treated the patient in collaboration with gastroenterology and hepatobiliary department, but she soon developed intrauterine foetal demise and multi-organ dysfunction. In view of her critical clinical state, the case was taken over by Dr Arvind Sahni, Director, Department of Gastroenterology at Fortis Hospital Mohali. Patient’s condition worsened, and was found with dilated pupils and went in comatose state. Dr Sahni along with Dr Arun K Sharma, Director, Critical Care, Fortis Hospital Mohali, gave aggressive supportive care such as plasma exchange to the patient for multiple organ dysfunction. She was closely monitored in the ICU for nearly a month and later discharged in a stable condition. The patient has recovered and is on regular follow-ups.

Discussing the case, Dr Arvind Sahni, Director, Department of Gastroenterology at Fortis Hospital Mohali said, “Hepatitis E is a viral liver infection that spreads through the faecal-oral route, most commonly through contaminated drinking water. Hepatitis E during pregnancy can cause liver failure with mortality reaching 10–15%. It can cause miscarriage, intrauterine death, premature delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal liver failure. This vaccine is available at Fortis Mohali and is ideally given before conception.”

Emphasizing on vaccination for Hepatitis E, Dr Arvind Sahni, Director, Department of Gastroenterology at Fortis Hospital Mohali said, “India’s first DCGI-approved Hepatitis E vaccine is a recombinant protein vaccine for adults aged 18–65 years. It uses a purified viral protein — not a live or weakened virus — to train your immune system. It is administered in three doses (Day 0, 1 month, 6 months) and shows approximately 93% efficacy at 4.5 years and 87% at 10 years. The vaccine is strongly recommended for pregnant women (before conception), patients with chronic liver disease, immunocompromised individuals, residents of flood-prone areas in North India, healthcare workers, and travellers to endemic regions. The vaccine is available at Fortis Hospital Mohali.”

Talking on similar lines, Dr Arun K Sharma, Director, Critical Care, Fortis Hospital Mohali said, “The woman was in a critical condition and stayed in the Medical ICU for nearly one month. Hepatitis E infection in pregnancy carries a very high risk of death. We followed a multidisciplinary care approach and were able to salvage her.”

Urging expectant women to get Hepatitis E vaccine, Dr Divya Awasthi, Additional Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital Mohali, said, “Women of childbearing age should get vaccinated before pregnancy as it eliminates one of the most dangerous threats to maternal and foetal health.”