Patient's question:
Each received an anesthetic injection of immunoglobulin. During the later stages of pregnancy, the liver function test was normal, but the virus test result was E to the fifth power. The baby was delivered via cesarean section. Within 24 hours after birth, the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine was administered, and no further immunoglobulin injections were given. A month later, the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine was administered.Hello, is this measure sufficient to adequately prevent mother-to-child transmission? Now that the baby is 40 days old, would it be effective to administer another dose of immunoglobulin? Can blood tests be performed to check if the baby has been infected?
Doctor's answer:
Children receiving the hepatitis B vaccine cannot be completely protected from transmission. Detailed examination of the child can be conducted after the second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. The five hepatitis B tests can directly reveal whether the child has been infected with the hepatitis B virus. Administering immune globulin now is effective, but it is less significant compared to administering it at birth. In other words, if both you and your spouse are hepatitis B patients, it is essential to closely monitor your viral load levels during interactions with the child to prevent the child's skin from coming into contact with your secretions, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Especially in such circumstances, breastfeeding is not recommended.