Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant mothers and its perinatal transmission.
1000 pairs of maternal and cord blood samples were collected simultaneously at the time of delivery. 23 (2.3%) of the maternal samples were positive for HBsAg by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HBeAg was detected in 11 (47%) of the 23 HBsAg positive mothers and anti-HBeAg was detected in another 5 samples. HBsAg and HBeAg were detected in 7 (30%) of the 23 cord blood samples from HBsAg-positive mothers, and anti-HBeAg was detected in one of these samples. At follow-up (6-18 months), antigenaemia had persisted in 17 (85%) of the 20 HBsAg-positive mothers and in 9 (45%) of 20 babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers. Seven of the 10 babies (70%) born to mothers positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg had persistent HBsAg in their blood, in contrast to 2 of the 10 babies (20%) born to mothers positive for HBsAg only. However, none of these mothers or their babies were found to have anti-HBeAg at follow-up. We conclude that the presence of HBeAg in mothers' blood enhances vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection to their babies.
Biswas
S C
SC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Gupta
I
I
Ganguly
N K
NK
Chawla
Y
Y
Dilawari
J B
JB
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens