BACKGROUND: Without appropriate prophylaxis, the rate of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be as high as 95%. Alberta's provincial prenatal program screens all pregnant women for HBV, and provides prophylaxis to infants born to HBV-infected women. Canadian data on the outcomes of such programs are limited. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of data from pregnant Albertan women who were Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) positive from 1997-2004. We describe the frequency of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccine administration, follow-up serology and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 1,485 HBsAg-positive pregnant women were identified; an average of 186 women annually (range: 125-216). Of the 980 infants eligible to have completed prophylaxis and serological follow-up, 82.0% were appropriately immunized and serologically tested, 11.3% had complete immunization but no serology testing and 6.6% were incompletely immunized. Of infants with complete immunization and follow-up, 3.7% failed to mount an immune response and 2.1% were infected. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of infants born to carrier mothers are receiving appropriate post-natal prophylaxis in Alberta. Future research should examine maternal factors that may increase the vertical transmission of HBV.
BACKGROUND: Without appropriate prophylaxis, the rate of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be as high as 95%. Alberta's provincial prenatal program screens all pregnant women for HBV, and provides prophylaxis to infants born to HBV-infectedwomen. Canadian data on the outcomes of such programs are limited. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of data from pregnant Albertan women who were Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) positive from 1997-2004. We describe the frequency of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccine administration, follow-up serology and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 1,485 HBsAg-positive pregnant women were identified; an average of 186 women annually (range: 125-216). Of the 980 infants eligible to have completed prophylaxis and serological follow-up, 82.0% were appropriately immunized and serologically tested, 11.3% had complete immunization but no serology testing and 6.6% were incompletely immunized. Of infants with complete immunization and follow-up, 3.7% failed to mount an immune response and 2.1% were infected. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of infants born to carrier mothers are receiving appropriate post-natal prophylaxis in Alberta. Future research should examine maternal factors that may increase the vertical transmission of HBV.
Authors: R del Canho; P M Grosheide; J A Mazel; R A Heijtink; W C Hop; L J Gerards; G C de Gast; W P Fetter; J Zwijneberg; S W Schalm Journal: Vaccine Date: 1997-10 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: M van Zonneveld; A B van Nunen; H G M Niesters; R A de Man; S W Schalm; H L A Janssen Journal: J Viral Hepat Date: 2003-07 Impact factor: 3.728
Authors: Julie van Schalkwyk; Melica Nourmoussavi; Andrea Massey; Reka Gustafson; Elizabeth Brodkin; Martin Petric; Mel Krajden; Simon Dobson; Jane Buxton; Mark Bigham; Neora Pick; Rick Schreiber; Christopher H Sherlock; Deborah Money; Eric M Yoshida Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2014-11
Authors: Jae Hoon Kim; Ju Seung Kim; Jong Joon Lee; Jung Ho Kim; Suk Young Kim; Young Kul Jung; Oh Sang Kwon; Yun Soo Kim; Duck Joo Choi; Ju Hyun Kim Journal: Korean J Intern Med Date: 2014-04-29 Impact factor: 2.884