Can pregnant women with "three positive" hepatitis B markers breastfeed?
Generally, "small three positives" refers to a condition in which the hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antibody, and hepatitis B core antibody are all positive, while the hepatitis B e antigen is negative. Whether a pregnant woman with "small three positives" can breastfeed depends on specific circumstances. If the baby has received vaccinations, breastfeeding may be possible; however, if the baby has not been vaccinated, breastfeeding is not recommended. Seek medical attention promptly if any discomfort occurs. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If a pregnant woman has "small three positives," but the baby has received the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B-specific immune globulin within 24 hours after birth and has developed antibodies, breastfeeding is permissible. At this point, the baby already has some immunity against the hepatitis B virus.
If the baby has not received the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B-specific immune globulin, direct breastfeeding may increase the risk of the baby contracting the hepatitis B virus. In such cases, breastfeeding should be temporarily avoided to prevent the infant from ingesting blood containing the hepatitis B virus through breast milk, which could lead to infection.
To avoid unnecessary harm to the body, it is recommended to follow professional medical guidance when using medications such as lamivudine tablets, entecavir tablets, or tenofovir alafenamide fumarate tablets. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and following a light diet are also important to ensure the health and safety of both mother and baby.