Patient's question:
A hepatitis B carrier who is pregnant needs to do the following:Doctor's answer:
In the transmission routes of hepatitis B, mother-to-child transmission (known as mother-to-child transmission) accounts for the majority, with approximately 40—50% of hepatitis B infections occurring through this route. Before the 1990s, children contracting hepatitis B due to this reason could be considered a different matter, but today, if preventive measures are not taken, the consequences will be lifelong regret. The method to prevent hepatitis B mothers from transmitting the virus to their infants is called mother-to-child transmission prevention. Only by adopting this measure can the vast majority of infants be protected from infection.Guidance:
1. General Method:
- Within 24 hours after birth, the infant should receive an injection of 10—20 micrograms of hepatitis B vaccine.
- At one month (full month), a drop of blood is taken from the infant’s heel for testing to check for hepatitis B.
- If the test is negative, the infant should immediately receive a second injection of 10—20 micrograms of hepatitis B vaccine.
- At six months, a third injection of hepatitis B vaccine should be administered.
- If the test is positive for hepatitis B, there is no need for the second or third vaccine injections.
- This method can prevent approximately 85% of infants from contracting hepatitis B.
2. Better Method:
- On the basis of the general method, test the level of hepatitis B virus in the mother’s blood [i.e., the titer of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)].
- If the HBsAg titer is above 1:10,000 (ELISA method), artificial feeding (do not use chewed food) should be used for the infant.
- If the HBsAg titer is below 1:3,000, breastfeeding can be safely adopted.
- This method can prevent approximately 90% of infants from contracting hepatitis B.
Lifestyle Care:
Hope this helps. Wishing you good health.