J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2002 Jun;45(6):727-731.

Sequential Analysis of Hepatitis Be Antigen Status in Infants Born to Hepatitis Be Antigen-Positive Mothers

• Park ES
• Lee HK
• Oh CH
• Kim SK
• Yun HS
• Song WK
• Lee YA

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the significance of HBeAg positivity in infants born to HBeAg and HBsAg positive mothers.
METHODS
The HBeAg status of 22 HBeAg positive, HBsAg negative infants born to HBeAg and HBsAg positive mothers from December 1996 to March 1999 were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay.
RESULTS
The number of HBsAg positive carrier mothers was 213(4.9%) out of 4,338 pregnant women. HBeAg was positive in 76(41.5%) out of 183 HBsAg positive mothers. Only 49 infants born to 76 HBeAg positive mothers could be evaluated; 36 infants were HBeAg positive and HBsAg negative. Laboratory follow up was possible in 22 infants. HBeAg disappeared in 7 cases within two months and in 20 cases within 12 months(over 90%). Ultimately, twenty-two babies who were HBsAg-negative and HBeAg-positive became negative for HBeAg, however, one showed HBsAg in follow up of 6 months of age.
CONCLUSION
HBeAg positivity in infants born to HBeAg positive mothers may result from the maternofetal transmission and this HBeAg eventually disappeared without clinical significance.

Keyword

HBsAg; HBeAg; Maternofetal transmission

MeSH Terms

Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis B e Antigens
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Hepatitis B*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Infant*
Mothers*
Pregnant Women
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Hepatitis B e Antigens