Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B is preventable if proper steps are taken. Early detection, timely vaccination, and medical care during and after pregnancy are critical.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. If untreated, it can cause short-term illness and long-term problems such as liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. This infection is especially dangerous if the mother passes it on to her baby during childbirth. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, infants infected at birth have a 90% chance of developing chronic HBV. Mothers should be careful and seek medical attention early.
Hepatitis B: causes and symptoms
“The virus spreads through contact with infected blood and body fluids. It can be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing needles, and transmission from mother to baby during childbirth. Many people, especially infants and young children, have no symptoms,” obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Namita Kapur told Healthshots.
If symptoms occur, they may include the following:
- I feel tired
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- dark urine
- stomach pain
- I don’t feel hungry
- nausea and vomiting
Can a mother transmit hepatitis B to her child?
Once a baby is born, the virus can be transmitted through the mother’s blood and body fluids. In areas where the virus is endemic, infants often become infected for a long time in this way. “If the mother is infected and precautions are not taken, there is a high chance that the baby will also get the virus,” the doctor says. Mothers should talk to their doctors about the risks.
How can I prevent transmission from mother to child?
Dr. Kapur shares five simple ways to prevent mother-to-child transmission, especially HIV and other diseases.
- Early screening: Pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B early. If it’s positive, you can take steps to protect your baby. Follow your doctor’s advice and do not take the medication yourself as it may be harmful.
- Get vaccinated on time: The best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis B is to vaccinate your baby within 24 hours of birth. Two more doses will be required within the next six months. Your doctor will tell you when to receive these injections.
- Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG): If a baby is born to a mother with hepatitis B, HBIG will provide temporary protection if given within 12 hours.
- Maternal antiviral medication: Some mothers take antiviral drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy to reduce the viral load and reduce the risk of passing it on to the baby.
- Safe childbirth and breastfeeding: Normal childbirth and breastfeeding are usually safe if the mother has received appropriate vaccines and immune globulin. Both mother and baby need to see a doctor regularly.
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