The intrauterine and perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus from carrier mothers to their infants
Lee, S.F.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 8(3): 154-157
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-6450 PMID: 3652176 Document Number: 302373
A total of 95 infants born to HBsAg carrier-mothers were tested for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs by RIA, anti-HBc IgM by ELISA, and HBV-DNA by Southern blot hybridization in the venous blood samples taken in the first 24 hours after delivery. Meanwhile 15 infants born to HBsAg positive mothers were followed-up to observe the frequency of perinatal transmission. The results of detection for HBsAg and HBV-DNA in all 95 venous blood samples from newborns at birth. Follow-up observation indicated that 2 infants might have intrauterine infection of HBV (2.1%). However all 95 newborn infants had no detectable anti-HBc IgM (tested by Abbott reagents). Eight out of 15 infants born to chronic HBsAg carrier mothers were infected by HBV (53.33%) within seven months after birth. 5 infants born to HBeAg positive mothers became chronic HBsAg carriers. One of two infants born to mothers negative for HBeAg and anti-HBe became HBsAg positive at seven months and among 8 infants born to anti-HBe positive moethers 2 infants born to mothers positive for both anti-HBc and sera HBV-DNA acquired HBV infection.