This study emphasizes that vertical transmission of the hepatitis B virus remains a serious issue in perinatal medicine, as it can lead to the development of chronic HBV infection in newborns.
As part of a retrospective analysis, data were collected on 231 pregnant women suffering from chronic HBV infection. Serological and molecular biological indicators were assessed, as well as laboratory results, including the APRI index, which indicates the degree of liver fibrosis.
The results of the study showed that pregnant women with an elevated APRI index significantly increase the risk of HBsAg-positive newborns. This underscores the importance of assessing liver condition to predict vertical transmission of the virus.
The study also confirmed the high effectiveness of combined prevention: vaccination of newborns along with the administration of specific immunoglobulin (HBIG) provided complete protection against the virus. At the same time, when only the vaccine was used, hepatitis B virus was detected in 13.1% of children.
The article notes that vertical transmission of the virus can occur at all stages of chronic HBV infection, even with low viral load. Early application of antiviral therapy with tenofovir in combination with vaccination demonstrated high effectiveness and may be an alternative to regimens using HBIG.
The author of the study is confident that the best strategy for reducing the risk of hepatitis B transmission from mother to child is a combination of antiviral treatment for the mother and specific immunoprophylaxis for the newborn.
