Can hepatitis B be transmitted from mother to child?
Oct 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
If a pregnant woman is a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier, especially those who are positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e-antigen, or have high levels of HBV DNA, her newborn is at high risk of infection when exposed to maternal blood or secretions during delivery. Without any preventive measures, the likelihood of the newborn acquiring hepatitis B virus infection is significantly increased.
In general, as an infectious disease, hepatitis B is mainly transmitted through mother-to-child transmission, blood transmission, and sexual transmission. Hepatitis B can indeed be transmitted from mother to child. The specific analysis is as follows:
If a pregnant woman is a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier, especially those who are positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), or have high levels of HBV DNA, their newborns face a significant risk of infection when exposed to maternal blood or bodily fluids during delivery. Without any preventive measures, the likelihood of newborns becoming infected with HBV is relatively high.
Although hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child, the transmission rate is not 100%. With effective interventions, the risk of mother-to-child transmission can be significantly reduced. Several factors influence the likelihood of vertical transmission, including the mother's viral load, mode of delivery, and the newborn's immune status. Therefore, despite the potential risk of mother-to-child transmission, it cannot be universally assumed that all pregnant women with hepatitis B will pass the virus to their babies.
In general, hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child, but implementing appropriate preventive measures can substantially reduce this risk.
