[Early physical growth and disease analysis among children born delivered by HBsAg-positive mothers]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Research
• Maternal-Child Health

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women poses a risk of mother-to-child transmission.
• Early physical growth and disease incidence in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers require careful monitoring.
• Understanding the long-term effects of prenatal HBV exposure on child development is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the early physical growth trajectories of infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers versus those born to HBV-uninfected mothers.
• To assess the prevalence of diseases in infants from both exposure and control groups up to 18 months of age.
• To determine the effectiveness of HBV vaccination and immunoglobulin prophylaxis in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study design was employed, involving 342 children in each group (HBsAg-positive mothers vs. matched HBV-uninfected mothers).
• Growth outcomes (birth weight, height, head circumference) and disease prevalence were assessed at birth, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months.
• Statistical comparisons were made between the exposure and control groups, with a focus on key developmental milestones and health indicators.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of low birth weight (LBW) or preterm birth between the two groups.
• While mean birth weight and head circumference at 18 months were slightly lower in the exposure group, these differences were statistically significant (P=0.019 and P=0.038, respectively).
• Crucially, mother-to-child transmission of HBV was low (1.0% at 18 months), supported by high rates of HBV vaccination and hepatitis B immunoglobulin administration.

Conclusions:

• Infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers exhibit comparable growth and disease prevalence to infants of HBV-uninfected mothers when appropriate interventions are applied.
• The study highlights the success of HBV vaccination and immunoglobulin in mitigating the risks associated with prenatal HBV exposure.
• These findings support the continued implementation of vaccination programs to prevent HBV transmission and ensure healthy child development.