Hepatitis B: update on perinatal management. Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee, Canadian Paediatric Society

Abstract

Infants of women infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B, usually at the time of delivery but occasionally in utero or after delivery. Perinatally acquired HBV infections are noteworthy for their tendency to persist throughout life, predisposing victims to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In most instances perinatal infection can be prevented by combined passive-active immunization of infants at risk. It is recommended that attempts be made to identify pregnant women infected with HBV and that their infants be given hepatitis B immune globulin soon after birth, then be actively immunized with HBV vaccine. This approach is effective and safe and is subsidized in many provinces.