Terence T Lao
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: Effect of neonatal immunization on vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection
Biography
Biography: Terence T Lao
Abstract
Vertical transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is considered the major factor in maintinaing the high prevalence of HBV infection in endemic areas, and combined passive-active immunization has been introduced for more than three decades to prevent vertical transmission. Recently, maternal treatment with antiviral agents has been advocated to prevent vertical transmission, but no randomized studies have compared the efficacy of maternal antenatal treatment alone versus neonatal hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) injection alone in this regard. The safety of in-utero expsoure to antiviral agents to the long term health and development in the offspring is largely unknown, and the limited literature on maternal treatment appears to be associated with increased maternal postpartum flares and possibly adverse perinatal outcome. In the literature and in our experience, neonatal HBIg is safe and effective in preventing vertical transmission, and the relevant data will be presented. The pros and cons of maternal treatment in addition to the already implemented and established neonatal immunization for the sole purpose of preventing vertical transmission will be discussed, together with the implications on logistical and clinical management of pregnancy in women with chronic HBV infection.