Current progress in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and resulting clinical and programmatic implications.

ABSTRACT: There is currently no cure for hepatitis B chronic infections. Because new hepatitis B infections result mainly from perinatal transmission, preventing mother-to-child transmission is essential to reach by 2030 the goal of hepatitis B elimination set by the World Health Organization. The universal administration of hepatitis B vaccine to all infants, regardless of maternal status, starting with the birth dose, is the cornerstone of the strategy for elimination. Additional interventions, such as hepatitis B immune globulin administered to newborns and antiviral prophylaxis administered to hepatitis B infected pregnant women, may contribute to reaching the goal earlier. Hepatitis B immune globulin may remain out for reach of many pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries due to cost

SUBMITTER: Jourdain G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6499137 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature