1. What is mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B?
Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B (HBV) is the process in which hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen-positive mothers transmit HBV to fetuses or newborns during close contact during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, causing HBV infection in infants.
2. Is it safe to use anti-hepatitis B virus drugs during pregnancy?
The currently used anti-hepatitis B virus drugs tebivudine and tenofovir are pregnancy class B drugs, which are considered to be relatively safe for fetuses and pregnant women, and can be used during pregnancy.
3. Can an expectant mother with hepatitis B transmit hepatitis B to her child?
The main routes of transmission of hepatitis B include blood-borne transmission, mother-to-child transmission, and sexual contact. About 30%-50% of hepatitis B infections in mainland China are transmitted through mother-to-child transmission, which includes intrauterine infection, perinatal infection and postpartum infection. About 8% of women of childbearing age in mainland China are infected with hepatitis B, of which intrauterine transmission <5% likelihood, and the vast majority (>90%) are due to infection during childbirth (perinatal period).
4. Which pregnant women need prophylactic anti-HBV therapy?
If the serum HBV DNA ≥ 2×105 IU/ml in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, it is recommended to fully communicate with the infected pregnant women and start antiviral therapy at 28 weeks of gestation on the basis of informed consent, and for pregnant women with HBV DNA > 2×109 IU/ml, antiviral therapy can be started at 24 weeks of gestation.
5. Is there a higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant women with hepatitis B?
It is indeed higher, especially for pregnant women with abnormal liver function, but as long as regular prenatal check-ups and enhanced monitoring, most pregnant women with hepatitis B have a safer delivery.
6. Can pregnant women with hepatitis B infection breastfeed?
Mothers infected with hepatitis B virus can breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not affected even if the mother has a high viral load or is HBeAg positive, has cracked or bleeding nipples, has abnormal liver function, or has ulcers or other injuries to the newborn's mouth.
7. Can cesarean section reduce mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B?
Current studies have shown that caesarean section does not reduce the chance of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, and the mode of delivery should be determined according to the obstetric situation.
8. Can the placenta of a pregnant woman infected with hepatitis B be taken away?
No, the placenta may carry viruses and is a pathological waste that is disposed of by the hospital.
9. Can mothers with hepatitis B infection breastfeed?
Newborns born to HBsAg positive mothers can be breastfed as soon as possible after birth with hepatitis B immune globulin and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
10. What are the functions of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin?
The hepatitis B vaccine is active immunity, produces protective antibodies that last a long time, and has a memory immune response, mainly for perinatal and postpartum transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin is a passive immunization that mainly targets perinatal transmission of hepatitis B.
Contributed by Wang Chunni, Ministry of Health
Audit|PR Section
Hospital Address: (Click below to start navigation)
Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital (New Hospital)
The southeast corner of the intersection of Tianjin Road and Park North Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo City, Shandong Province
Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Xingyuan Campus)
No. 11, Xingyuan East Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo City, Shandong Province
Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Huaguang Road Campus)
Near No. 39, Huaguang Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo City, Shandong Province