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Review
. 2023 Aug 28;11(4):967-974.
doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2022.00332. Epub 2023 Mar 10.

Strategies to Prevent Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Palittiya Sintusek  1 , Nasamon Wanlapakorn  2 , Yong Poovorawan  2
Affiliations
Review

Strategies to Prevent Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Palittiya Sintusek et al. J Clin Transl Hepatol. .

Abstract

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the primary cause of chronic HBV infection worldwide. MTCT prevention and antiviral treatment of infected individuals could eliminate this public health burden. Antiviral treatment of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women and immunoprophylaxis with HBV vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin are the most effective strategies to interfere with MTCT of HBV. However, for worldwide application of those strategies, feasibility, availability, cost, safety, and effectiveness should be considered. Cesarean section and breastfeeding avoidance in hepatitis B e antigen-positive mothers with a high viral load and without antiviral therapy during pregnancy could be an option, but more supporting evidence is needed. HBsAg screening of all pregnant women is recommended when initiating antiviral therapy and immunoprophylaxis for MTCT prevention, except in areas with limited resources. Timely HBV vaccination series administered soon after birth might be the mainstay of prevention. This review aimed to provide a concise update on the effectiveness of available strategies to prevent MTCT of HBV.

Keywords: Children; Hepatitis B virus; Mother-to-child transmission; Prevention; Vaccine; Vertical transmission.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interests related to this publication.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Natural history of hepatitis B infection.
(A) Acute hepatitis B infection. (B) Chronic hepatitis B infection. HBV, hepaititis B virus; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HBeAg, hepatitis B e antigen; anti-HBc, anti-hepatitis B core; IgM, immunoglobulin M.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Illustrations of the possible mechanisms of vertical transmission.
(A) Prenatal period, (B) Perinatal period.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Algorithm for prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).
HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HBeAg, hepatitis B e antigen; hr, hour; HBIG, hepatitis B immunoglobulin; mo, month.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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