title: HBV viremia in newborns of HBsAg(+) predominantly Caucasian HBeAg(-) mothers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B virus infection is an important public health problem worldwide and eliminating mother-to-infant transmission is important to decrease the prevalence of chronic HBV-infection. Although, immunoprophylaxis given at birth largely prevents mother-to-infant transmission, perinatal HBV viremia has been reported in HBsAg(-) newborns born mainly to HBeAg(+) women in endemic areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the incidence of perinatal HBV viremia in newborns of HBsAg(+) predominantly HBeAg(-) mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood was obtained at birth from 109 HBsAg(+) mothers and their newborns before the administration of active-passive immunoprophylaxis. Infants were prospectively followed and appropriately vaccinated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although most (92.7%) of the HBsAg(+) mothers were HBeAg(-), 73.4% had detectable HBV viremia. Neonatal viremia was detected in 3/8 (37.5%) and 24/101 (23.8%) newborns of HBeAg(+) and HBeAg(-) mothers, respectively (p=0.386). However, HBV-DNA levels were significantly higher in newborns of HBeAg(+) mothers (p=0.025). No child developed chronic HBV infection, but one child had evidence of subclinical hepatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the clinical significance of low viremia levels in almost one in four newborns of HBsAg(+) mothers in a low endemicity area is unclear, it may enhance our understanding of HBV mother-to-infant transmission.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Pediatrics, P& A Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Medical School, Athens University, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece. vpapaev@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papaevangelou
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paraskevis
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anastassiadou
authors.forename: Evaggelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stratiki
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machaira
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pitsouli
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haida
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Drakakis
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stamouli
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antsaklis
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatzakis
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000151:congenital* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens