Minimal adverse influence of maternal hepatitis B carrier status on perinatal outcomes and child's growth

To clarify whether maternal HBsAg positivity may add risk for adverse neonatal outcomes and even affect child's growth.

The perinatal data and neonatal outcomes in 380 HBsAg-positive and 428 HBsAg-negative women delivered during 2002-2004 were investigated. Furthermore, 271 (71.3%) children of HBsAg-positive and 297 (69.4%) of HBsAg-negative mothers were followed at ages of 5-7 years. Child's growth including weight, height, and health conditions were evaluated.

The prevalence of preterm birth was relatively higher in HBsAg-positive group (2.9% versus 1.4%), but it failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.140). There was no difference in other neonatal outcomes including stillbirth (0.5% versus 0.2%), neonatal death (0.5% versus 0.5%) and congenital malformation (0.8% versus 1.4%). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated maternal HBsAg positivity had no adverse influence on neonatal outcomes. Abnormal health conditions, other than adverse neonatal outcomes, was identified in one child (0.3%) of HBsAg-positive mother and four children (0.9%) of HBsAg-negative mothers at follow-up (p = 0.444). No maternal death occurred in HBsAg-positive or -negative mothers.

Maternal HBsAg carrier status does not add risk for adverse neonatal outcomes or child's growth; therefore, heightening surveillance for adverse neonatal complications in HBV-infected pregnant women may be unnecessary.