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Maternal HBsAg status and infant size--a Faustian bargain?
T T Lao1, D S Sahota, S S H Suen
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. lao-tt@cuhk.edu.hk
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
|June 9, 2012
Summary
Maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is linked to higher infant birthweight, increasing risks for macrosomia and large-for-gestational age infants. Further research is needed to understand the long-term health implications for children born to mothers with HBV.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- Conflicting information exists regarding maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection's impact on pregnancy outcomes.
- Some studies suggest a positive association with increased infant birthweight, potentially beneficial.
- This study investigates the relationship between maternal HBsAg status and infant birthweight outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare birthweight outcomes in singleton pregnancies between mothers screened positive and negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
- To identify specific maternal and infant factors associated with increased birthweight in HBsAg-positive pregnancies.
- To assess the independent association of HBsAg positivity with macrosomia and large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants after controlling for confounding variables.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study comparing 6261 HBsAg-positive pregnancies with 55,817 HBsAg-negative pregnancies.
- Analysis of maternal characteristics including age, body mass index (BMI), and gestational weight gain.
- Statistical analysis to determine odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for macrosomia and LGA infants.
Main Results:
- HBsAg-positive mothers were younger, had higher BMI, and less gestational weight gain.
- Maternal HBV infection was associated with increased odds of macrosomia and LGA infants, particularly in younger mothers, those with higher BMI, and male infants.
- After adjusting for confounding factors, HBsAg positivity remained significantly associated with macrosomic (aOR 1.15) and LGA (aOR 1.11) infants.
Conclusions:
- Maternal hepatitis B infection is associated with an increased risk of delivering macrosomic and LGA infants.
- The findings suggest a potential adverse impact on offspring's long-term health due to increased birthweight.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term health consequences of maternal HBV infection on offspring, mediated by birthweight.
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