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Mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus in the Philippines
A L Lingao1, N T Torres, N Muñoz
1Liver Study Group, University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, Manila.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mother-to-infant transmission is significant in the Philippines. Infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers face a substantially higher risk of HBV infection within the first year.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a global health challenge.
- Mother-to-infant transmission is a primary route for HBV acquisition in endemic areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rate and risk factors of mother-to-infant transmission of HBV.
- To inform strategies for HBV prevention, including vaccination campaigns.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study involving 527 mothers and their infants in the Philippines (1981-1983).
- Serological testing for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) in mothers and infants.
- Calculation of odds ratios (OR) to assess transmission risk.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of HBsAg among mothers was 8.5%.
- 41.2% of infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers became HBsAg positive within 12 months.
- Transmission risk was significantly higher for infants of HBsAg/HBeAg-positive mothers (OR=91.0) compared to HBsAg-positive/anti-HBe-positive mothers (low risk).
- Mother-to-infant transmission accounted for approximately one-third of HBsAg positivity at one year.
Conclusions:
- Mother-to-infant transmission is a major contributor to HBV infection in infants.
- Identifying HBsAg and HBeAg status in pregnant women is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Findings support the need for robust HBV vaccination programs to reduce transmission.
Abstract:
A follow-up study of mother to infant transmission of hepatitis B virus was conducted in the Philippines between 1981 and 1983. The prevalence of HBsAg among 527 mothers was 8.5%. Overall, seven out of 17 (41.2%) infants born to HBsAg carrier mothers became HBsAg positive within the first 12 months of life. The risk of becoming HBsAg positive was about 20 times higher for infants born to HBsAg positive mothers than for infants born to HBsAg negative mothers (OR = 18.9, 95% Ci = 2.0-86.6). The risk was even higher if the mother was a carrier of both HBsAg und HBeAg (OR = 91.0, 95% Ci = 49.2-164.8). However, the risk of transmission was very low if the mother was an HBsAg carrier and anti-HBe positive. It was estimated that mother to infant transmission accounts for about one third of HBsAg positivity at one year of age. The implications of these findings in the planning of vaccination campaigns to prevent HBV infections are discussed.