Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2/2019

01-08-2019 | Hepatitis B | Review

Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission

Authors: Ka Wang Cheung, Mimi Tin Yan Seto, Terence Tzu-Hsi Lao

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 2/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains endemic and continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. It is a global health issue and the World Health Organization aims to eradicate HBV by 2030. Since vertical transmission accounts for the majority of chronic HBV infection, pregnancy offers an excellent opportunity to achieve complete HBV eradication by providing effective immunization of the offspring.

Methods

We reviewed recent publications identified from PubMed database using a combination of the relevant keywords for HBV, pregnancy, vertical transmission, immunoprophylaxis failure and antiviral treatment.

Results

We summarized the evidence of factors associated with, and measures to reduce and prevent maternal to child transmission, including the use of antiviral treatment during pregnancy to prevent immunoprophylaxis failure. Evidence suggested that highly viremia mother can be offered antenatal antiviral treatment to prevent immunoprophylaxis failure. We elaborated the viral load threshold to start maternal antiviral treatment and the importance of timely neonatal vaccination. A clinical algorithm to manage HBV carriers during pregnancy was proposed.

Conclusion

Eradication of HBV is achievable with optimal management of HBV carriers, especially during pregnancy by interruption of vertical transmission. Routine antenatal screening and neonatal immunoprophylaxis remain the key measures to reduce the global HBV burden, and additional antenatal antiviral treatment could further minimize the chance of persistent infection in newborns.
Literature
8.
go back to reference Thimme R, Wieland S, Steiger C et al (2003) CD8(+) T cells mediate viral clearance and disease pathogenesis during acute hepatitis B virus infection. J Virol 77(1):68–76 (PubMed PMID: 12477811; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC140637) CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Thimme R, Wieland S, Steiger C et al (2003) CD8(+) T cells mediate viral clearance and disease pathogenesis during acute hepatitis B virus infection. J Virol 77(1):68–76 (PubMed PMID: 12477811; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC140637) CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
9.
go back to reference Milich DR, Jones JE, Hughes JL et al (1990) Is a function of the secreted hepatitis B e antigen to induce immunologic tolerance in utero? Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87(17):6599–6603 (PubMed PMID: 2395863; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC54584) CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Milich DR, Jones JE, Hughes JL et al (1990) Is a function of the secreted hepatitis B e antigen to induce immunologic tolerance in utero? Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87(17):6599–6603 (PubMed PMID: 2395863; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC54584) CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
go back to reference Trehanpati N, Hissar S, Shrivastav S et al (2013) Immunological mechanisms of hepatitis B virus persistence in newborns. Indian J Med Res 138(5):700–710 (PubMed PMID: 24434322; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC3928700) PubMedPubMedCentral Trehanpati N, Hissar S, Shrivastav S et al (2013) Immunological mechanisms of hepatitis B virus persistence in newborns. Indian J Med Res 138(5):700–710 (PubMed PMID: 24434322; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC3928700) PubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Shrivastava S, TrehanPati N, Patra S et al (2013) Increased regulatory T cells and impaired functions of circulating CD8 T lymphocytes is associated with viral persistence in Hepatitis B virus-positive newborns. J Viral Hepat 20(8):582–591. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.12078 (PubMed PMID: 23808997) CrossRefPubMed Shrivastava S, TrehanPati N, Patra S et al (2013) Increased regulatory T cells and impaired functions of circulating CD8 T lymphocytes is associated with viral persistence in Hepatitis B virus-positive newborns. J Viral Hepat 20(8):582–591. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jvh.​12078 (PubMed PMID: 23808997) CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Lao TT, Leung TY, Chan HL et al (2015) Effect of pregnancy on the activity and infectivity of hepatitis B virus in women with chronic hepatitis B infection. Hong Kong Med J 21(Suppl 7):S4–7 (PubMed PMID: 26908264) CrossRefPubMed Lao TT, Leung TY, Chan HL et al (2015) Effect of pregnancy on the activity and infectivity of hepatitis B virus in women with chronic hepatitis B infection. Hong Kong Med J 21(Suppl 7):S4–7 (PubMed PMID: 26908264) CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Soderstrom A, Norkrans G, Lindh M (2003) Hepatitis B virus DNA during pregnancy and post partum: aspects on vertical transmission. Scand J Infect Dis 35(11–12):814–819 (PubMed PMID: 14723355) CrossRefPubMed Soderstrom A, Norkrans G, Lindh M (2003) Hepatitis B virus DNA during pregnancy and post partum: aspects on vertical transmission. Scand J Infect Dis 35(11–12):814–819 (PubMed PMID: 14723355) CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Wong HY, Tan JY, Lim CC (2004) Abnormal liver function tests in the symptomatic pregnant patient: the local experience in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singapore 33(2):204–208 (PubMed PMID: 15098635) PubMed Wong HY, Tan JY, Lim CC (2004) Abnormal liver function tests in the symptomatic pregnant patient: the local experience in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singapore 33(2):204–208 (PubMed PMID: 15098635) PubMed
23.
go back to reference Wong VC, Lee AK, Ip HM (1980) Transmission of hepatitis B antigens from symptom free carrier mothers to the fetus and the infant. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 87(11):958–965 (PubMed PMID: 7437368) CrossRefPubMed Wong VC, Lee AK, Ip HM (1980) Transmission of hepatitis B antigens from symptom free carrier mothers to the fetus and the infant. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 87(11):958–965 (PubMed PMID: 7437368) CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Beasley RP, Trepo C, Stevens CE et al (1977) The e antigen and vertical transmission of hepatitis B surface antigen. Am J Epidemiol 105(2):94–98 (PubMed PMID: 835566) CrossRefPubMed Beasley RP, Trepo C, Stevens CE et al (1977) The e antigen and vertical transmission of hepatitis B surface antigen. Am J Epidemiol 105(2):94–98 (PubMed PMID: 835566) CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Wiseman E, Fraser MA, Holden S et al (2009) Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: an Australian experience. Med J Aust 190(9):489–492 (PubMed PMID: 19413519) PubMed Wiseman E, Fraser MA, Holden S et al (2009) Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: an Australian experience. Med J Aust 190(9):489–492 (PubMed PMID: 19413519) PubMed
35.
go back to reference Wang C, Wang C, Jia ZF et al (2016) Protective effect of an improved immunization practice of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus and risk factors associated with immunoprophylaxis failure. Medicine (Baltimore) 95(34):e4390. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000004390 (PubMed PMID: 27559947; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC5400313) CrossRef Wang C, Wang C, Jia ZF et al (2016) Protective effect of an improved immunization practice of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus and risk factors associated with immunoprophylaxis failure. Medicine (Baltimore) 95(34):e4390. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1097/​MD.​0000000000004390​ (PubMed PMID: 27559947; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC5400313) CrossRef
43.
44.
go back to reference European Association for the Study of the Liver. Electronic address eee, European Association for the Study of the L (2017) EASL 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol. 2017 Aug;67(2):370–398. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.03.021. (PubMed PMID: 28427875) CrossRef European Association for the Study of the Liver. Electronic address eee, European Association for the Study of the L (2017) EASL 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol. 2017 Aug;67(2):370–398. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.03.021. (PubMed PMID: 28427875) CrossRef
49.
go back to reference Mandelbrot L, Landreau-Mascaro A, Rekacewicz C et al (2001) Lamivudine-zidovudine combination for prevention of maternal-infant transmission of HIV-1. JAMA 285(16):2083–2093 (PubMed PMID: 11311097) CrossRefPubMed Mandelbrot L, Landreau-Mascaro A, Rekacewicz C et al (2001) Lamivudine-zidovudine combination for prevention of maternal-infant transmission of HIV-1. JAMA 285(16):2083–2093 (PubMed PMID: 11311097) CrossRefPubMed
58.
go back to reference Grigsby IF, Pham L, Mansky LM, et al. (2010) Tenofovir-associated bone density loss. Ther Clin Risk Manag 6:41–7. (PubMed PMID: 20169035; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC2817787) PubMedPubMedCentral Grigsby IF, Pham L, Mansky LM, et al. (2010) Tenofovir-associated bone density loss. Ther Clin Risk Manag 6:41–7. (PubMed PMID: 20169035; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC2817787) PubMedPubMedCentral
Metadata
Title
Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission
Authors
Ka Wang Cheung
Mimi Tin Yan Seto
Terence Tzu-Hsi Lao
Publication date
01-08-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05190-0

Other articles of this Issue 2/2019

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2/2019 Go to the issue

Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine

Quality of life among infertile PCOS patients