title: HIGH RATE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION IN LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus infection is endemic in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Among 3,000 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at Mother and Child Hospital in Vientiane, Lao PDR, 5.8% were HBsAg positive by a rapid test. Among serum samples of 47 infants aged 9-12 months born to HBsAg-positive mothers, 38% were anti-HBs negative. Percent anti-HBs negative children is significantly higher in those born to HBeAg positive mothers than in those born to HBeAg negative mothers (60% vs 25%, p < 0.05). Out of 47 HBsAg-positive mothers, 10 had infants who were HBsAg positive. None of the infants born to HBsAg negative mothers became HBsAg positive but 10/19 (52.6%) of infants born to HBeAg positive mothers became HBsAg positive. This high rate of mother-to-child transmission of HBV in an endemic country is of concern and indicates that routine vaccination program for Lao infants needs strengthening.
authors.forename: Prapan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jutavijittum
authors.forename: Amnat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yousukh
authors.forename: Bounnack
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saysanasongkham
authors.forename: Bounthome
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Samountry
authors.forename: Khamtim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Samountry
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toriyama
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tokuda
authors.forename: Hirohito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoneyama
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens