Perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission in Lao PDR: A prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the main cause of new infections worldwide. We aimed at assessing the percentage of infants successfully immunized in two major hospitals in Vientiane, Lao PDR where HB immune globulin (HBIg) is not available.

Methods

We studied a prospective cohort of chronically HBV infected pregnant women and their infants until 6 months post-partum from January 2015 to March 2017. All infants received HB vaccine at birth and 6, 10 and 14 weeks thereafter, and HBV status was assessed at 6 months of age. HBV surface gene sequencing was performed in infected mother-infant pairs.

Results

Of 153 mothers with HB surface antigen (HBsAg), 60 (39%) had detectable serum HBe antigen (HBeAg). HBeAg positive pregnant women w

SUBMITTER: Latthaphasavang V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6481786 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature