Fortis Mohali doctors save 6-month pregnant woman battling Hepatitis E, highlight vaccination need
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 31, 2026:Doctors at Fortis Hospital Mohali successfully saved the life of a critically ill 32-year-old woman who was six months pregnant and suffering from Hepatitis E along with multi-organ dysfunction, in a complex, multi-department medical intervention.
The patient was admitted to the emergency department with high fever, jaundice, nausea, dark urine and pale stools. Medical tests confirmed Hepatitis E infection, a serious condition during pregnancy that can lead to acute-on-chronic liver failure and pose life-threatening risks to both mother and fetus.
During treatment, the patient suffered intrauterine fetal demise and her condition deteriorated further, progressing to multi-organ failure and coma.
A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Arvind Sahni from the Department of Gastroenterology, along with critical care specialist Dr. Arun K. Sharma and obstetrics expert Dr. Divya Awasthi, managed the case.
The patient was provided aggressive supportive care, including plasma exchange therapy, and remained under intensive monitoring in the ICU for nearly a month.
Following sustained treatment, her condition stabilised and she was eventually discharged. She has since recovered fully and continues regular follow-ups.
Doctors highlighted that Hepatitis E spreads primarily through contaminated water and can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy, with mortality rates reaching up to 10–15% in severe cases. The infection can lead to complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight.
Emphasising prevention, doctors strongly recommended vaccination, especially for women of childbearing age before pregnancy. The Hepatitis E vaccine, approved in India, is administered in three doses and has shown high long-term effectiveness.
Medical experts at Fortis Mohali urged greater awareness about the risks of Hepatitis E and stressed the importance of timely vaccination to protect both maternal and fetal health.