Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Abstract

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the predominant mode of transmission in countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen carriage. Perinatal transmission can occur via three modalities: intrauterine transmission; transmission during delivery; and postpartum transmission and perinatal transmission results in a high frequency of chronic infection. Therefore, it is important to prevent perinatal transmission. At-birth prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and the first dose of the HBV vaccine can prevent transmission during delivery or in the postpartum period, but it has no effect on the intrauterine route of transmission. Due to the residual risk of perinatal transmission despite correct use of birth prophylaxis with HBIG and vaccine, other strategies (namely, antiviral drugs, HBIG to the mother, and mode of delivery) have been tested in several studies. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2016; 25(3.000): 304-318