title: [Vertical transmission of hepatitis B. Results of a prospective study 1978 to 1981].
abstract: From June 1978 until August 1981 4400 pregnant women were consecutively investigated in Vienna for the presence of hepatitis B. 23 women (0.52%) were HBs-antigen positive; 15 of these were foreigners (from Yugoslavia, Turkey, Philippines, Rumania),22 pregnant women were healthy HBs-antigen carriers. One woman had an unspecific reactive hepatitis. Three pregnant women were HBe-antigen positive, 18 anti-HBe positive. Hepatitis B infection was detected in three children of HBs-positive mothers. The highest risk of infection existed in children of HBe-antigen positive mothers. There was no connection between the infection of the children and HBs-antigen in cord blood, delivery and breast-feeding habits. Hepatitis infection took a different course in the three children: one child was an HBs-antigen carrier with a healthy liver, whilst in two children seroconversion took place and anti-HBs was formed without clinical-biochemical signs of hepatitis. Measures for the prevention of vertical hepatitis B transmission are discussed.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens
vernacular_title: Vertikale Hepatitis-B-Transmission. Ergebnisse einer prospektiven Studie 1978 bis 1981.