Hepatitis B serologic patterns in children of HBV carriers or infected mothers

Abstract

Background Vertical transmission is usually the cause of increas- ing carrier rates for hepatitis B infection, especially in highly en- demic areas. Objective To determine the serologic patterns of hepatitis B in children of HBV carrier/infected mothers. Methods This was a cross sectional study on children of HBV carrier/infected mothers. Subjects were recruited consecutively and examined at the Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital during January–July 2003. Children were included if they were generally healthy and their parents gave permission. Chil- dren with chronic illness, previous blood transfusions, or drug abuse were excluded. Results Fifty-nine children of 32 HBV carrier/infected mothers were recruited. HBsAg was positive in 8 children, anti-HBs in 37, and anti-HBc in 4 children. Seventy-three percent of children had been vaccinated against HBV but only 81% had positive anti-HBs. Of eighteen children who received hepatitis B vaccine and HBIg at birth, none was infected. Six out of 25 children who received only hepatitis B vaccine were infected. Conclusion HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc were positive in 14%, 36%, and 7% of children of HBV carrier/infected mothers, respec- tively

Keywords

• hepatitis B
• immunization
• perinatal transmission