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Perinatal hepatitis B: update & recommendations
1Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Hauppauge, New York, USA. janecorrarino@yahoo.com
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern, particularly perinatal transmission to infants. Understanding HBV and implementing CDC-recommended prevention strategies are crucial for nurses to protect families and children.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Nursing
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of chronic infectious disease worldwide.
- Perinatal transmission is the primary route of HBV infection in infants and children.
- Untreated infants born to HBV-positive mothers have a 90% risk of becoming lifelong carriers, facing severe health consequences like liver disease and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To underscore the importance of nurses understanding hepatitis B virus (HBV) for effective family care.
- To highlight the critical role of nurses in preventing perinatal HBV transmission and managing affected populations.
- To emphasize the need for integrating hospital- and community-based nursing practices for comprehensive HBV care.
Main Methods:
- Review of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prevention and treatment strategies for HBV.
- Emphasis on the importance of screening pregnant women for HBV.
- Outline of the recommended vaccination schedule including hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine at birth, 1 month, and 6 months.
Main Results:
- CDC guidelines provide a comprehensive strategy for HBV prevention and treatment.
- Early intervention with HBIG and vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infant HBV infection.
- Nurses are pivotal in implementing these strategies and coordinating care.
Conclusions:
- Nurses in perinatal and pediatric specialties must possess a thorough understanding of HBV.
- Effective prevention of HBV transmission relies on adherence to vaccination schedules and screening protocols.
- Strengthening the link between hospital and community nursing is essential for managing women and children affected by HBV.
Abstract:
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most prevalent chronic infectious disease in the world, and should be better understood by nurses caring for families. Perinatal acquisition is the major cause of infection in infants and children. Without vaccine during infancy, 90% of infants born to women positive for the virus will go on to become lifelong carriers. There are significant sequelae associated with HBV infection, ranging from fulminant HBV to chronic liver disease to an increased risk for carcinoma. A comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy has been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which includes screening of all pregnant women for the presence of HBV, the administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) at birth, and the administration of hepatitis B vaccine at birth, at 1 month of age, and at 6 months of age. Nurses working in the perinatal and pediatric specialties must understand the implications of HBV to help prevent transmission and to assist in the coordination of care and advocacy for affected populations. The community health implications for the care of women and children with HBV are clear, giving nurses the opportunity to develop a closer linkage between hospital- and community-based nursing practice.