Hepatitis E is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in India. The group at highest risk of fulminant hepatic failure from Hepatitis E is:

• A Children under 5 years of age
• B Elderly males with alcoholic liver disease
• C Immunocompromised patients with HIV/AIDS
• D Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester ✓

Explanation

Hepatitis E causes fulminant hepatic failure with a mortality rate of 15-25% in pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester — markedly higher than the <1% mortality in the general population. The mechanism involves hormonal influences on viral replication and immune response. HEV genotype 1 and 2 predominantly cause waterborne outbreaks in developing countries; genotype 3 and 4 are zoonotic and cause chronic infection in immunocompromised patients.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.