Open AccessHepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women and transmission to newborns
Author(s) -
Salman Khan,
Rashmi Rashmi,
Pradyumn Singh,
Molly Madan,
Virmani Sunil Kumar,
Siddiqui Zeenat
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(15)60809-x
Subject(s) - medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , hbeag , pregnancy , hepatitis b virus , hepatitis b , breastfeeding , cirrhosis , immunology , viral load , virology , obstetrics , virus , pediatrics , hbsag , biology , electrical engineering , genetics , engineering
Chronic hepatitis B affects over 350 million people worldwide. India represents the second\udlargest pool of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the world with an estimated 40\udmillion infected people. Vertical transmission is known to be the leading cause of infection\udand perinatal infection is associated with a very high rate of chronicity (up to 90%). Hepatitis\udB e antigen (HBeAg) positivity indicates that replicative form of HBV may play a role\udin immunotolerance in utero by crossing the placenta. Up to 40% of chronically infected\udindividuals will die prematurely from complications such as acute liver failure, cirrhosis\udand hepatocellular cancer. In case of HBeAg positivity and high viral load of mother, HBV\udimmunoglobulin is preferably given along with HBV vaccination. Antiviral therapy is\udrecommended for use in the third trimester of pregnancy to reduce the perinatal transmission of\udHBV, however, use of antiviral therapy should be individualized during pregnancy. Addressing\udperinatal transmission through the use of immunoprophylaxis can help contain the spread of\udHBV. Pregnant mothers with chronic hepatitis B have unique challenges and require specialized\udmanagement during and after pregnancy. This review will look at the screening of pregnant\udwomen for hepatitis B, passive and active immunoprophylaxis, mechanisms of perinatal viral\udtransmission and therapeutic considerations in pregnancy including possible teratogenicity and\udefficacy of medication. Other issues such as the mode of transmission and breastfeeding will\udbe covered