Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Program

In Hong Kong, mother-to-child transmission at birth is the commonest route of hepatitis B virus transmission. Chronic hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccination of newborn at birth can protect the baby from infection in over 90% of hepatitis B carrier mothers. However, babies borne from mothers with high viral load (>200,000 IU/ml) still have 5-10% risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus infection despite the vaccination. World Health Organization has recommended treating all pregnant carrier mothers with high viral load with antiviral drugs before the third trimester. Antiviral drugs can suppress the viral load of pregnant mothers and effectively eliminate the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

In order to echo the World Health Organization initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus, the Integrated Liver Centre of Union Hospital has developed a collaborative program between obstetricians and hepatologists. The aim of the program is to streamline the care of all pregnant hepatitis B carrier mothers and ensure elimination of hepatitis B virus transmission to newborns in the hospital. Service of the program include

Screening of hepatitis B virus infection for all pregnant mothers
Education of hepatitis B pregnant carrier mothers on the risk of chronic hepatitis B and mother-to-child transmission of the virus
Screening of hepatitis B viral load for pregnant carrier mothers
Antiviral drug treatment for pregnant carrier mothers with high viral load
Consideration of long-term follow-up and treatment plan for chronic hepatitis B infected mothers after delivery

Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Program

Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Program

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