Hepatitis B - Vertical transmission and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the commonest cause of chronic hepatitis, with an estimated global prevalence of 3.5%, and which leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy is the leading form of transmission in endemic populations, and its interruption is thus crucial as the initial step in the elimination of HBV infection, notwithstanding the availability of potent antiviral medications. The risk of MTCT is dramatically reduced by timely neonatal HBV vaccination and the administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin after birth in high-risk infants. Maternal HBV DNA quantification during pregnancy allows the assessment of the risk of newborn immunoprophylaxis failure (IF). Maternal antiviral treatment in highly viremic women can reduce the risk of IF. However, the optimal HBV DNA cutoff level for the initiation of antiviral treatment remains to be determined.

• Authors: Ka Wang Cheung, Terence Tzu-Hsi Lao
• Journal: Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology (Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol) Vol. 68 Pg. 78-88 (Oct 2020) ISSN: 1532-1932 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 32249130 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Topics

• Adult
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• DNA, Viral
• Female
• Hepatitis B (drug therapy, prevention & control, transmission)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (therapeutic use)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical (prevention & control)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Infectious (drug therapy)