Effects of hepatitis B on pregnant mothers

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a viral infection that attacks the liver causing acute and chronic hepatitis, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. An estimated 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, and more than 686,000 people die each year from complications of the disease. In particular, if a pregnant woman has hepatitis B, it will affect the health of the fetus.

1.1. Being infected with hepatitis B from the mother Pregnant women are also in the transmission route of hepatitis B virus, so the fetus is at risk of being infected from the mother. About 90% of pregnant women with acute hepatitis B virus infection and 10% to 20% of women with chronic hepatitis B will pass the virus on to their babies.
However, the infection rate depends on each case:
If the pregnant mother has hepatitis B during pregnancy, the transmission rate will depend on the time of infection: If the mother is infected with the virus in the 3rd stage In the first month, the rate of mother-to-child transmission is about 1%; If the mother is infected in the second trimester, the risk of the fetus getting sick is 10%; If the mother is infected in the last 3 months, the chance of the baby being born with hepatitis B is up to 60-70%; If the mother has hepatitis B without knowing it, so there are no measures to prevent infection during and after birth, the baby will have a high risk of infection up to about 90%. Of these, about 50% of children will have chronic hepatitis and may develop liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in adulthood; When a pregnant mother has hepatitis B before but has been treated for the disease at a stable level, the virus is below the active threshold, the fetus is almost not infected with hepatitis B virus from the mother; In case a pregnant mother has hepatitis B before pregnancy but has not been treated or completely cured, causing the disease to worsen at the end of pregnancy (the HBV virus is highly active), the fetus is also at very high risk of being infected with hepatitis B. infection from the mother. 1.2. Effects on fetal development Hepatitis B virus lives mostly in the blood and genital fluids of pregnant women and cannot be transmitted through the placenta. Therefore, it does not affect the baby's development as much as other viruses such as rubella, influenza,... If the mother carries the hepatitis B virus, the fetus will still grow normally, without malformations. fetus.
Only if the mother has severe hepatitis B in the last 3 months of pregnancy is there a risk of preterm delivery. Therefore, the most important thing for a mother if she has this disease is to know how to minimize the possibility of infecting the fetus.

Hepatitis B virus infection can be very serious for a newborn, even life-threatening. Newborns infected with the hepatitis B virus have a high risk (up to 90%) of becoming carriers. Children can also pass the virus on to others. In adulthood, about 25% of cases will have a risk of dying from cirrhosis or liver cancer. In addition, acute HBV infection occurring early in pregnancy is associated with a 10% perinatal transmission rate. Transmission rates increase significantly if acute infection occurs at or near birth, with rates reported as high as 60%.
Pregnant women who are on antiretroviral therapy should notify their doctor immediately to discuss the risks and benefits of continuing treatment. Continuing treatment may pose a risk to the fetus, while stopping treatment may pose a risk of hepatitis flare-ups for the mother. Consideration may be given to discontinuing treatment for women without cirrhosis.

Pregnant mothers can get the B virus before or during pregnancy, but most are infected before pregnancy.
Virus B does not adversely affect the pregnancy process as well as the fetus, the fetus still develops well and there is no risk of malformations. Importantly, the risk of transmission to the fetus, if the child is not protected immediately after birth, 50% of these children will develop chronic hepatitis and are at risk of cirrhosis in adulthood. The rate of acute hepatitis right after birth is 5-7% without obvious symptoms.
For pregnant mothers with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, if detected early, they will be warned with caution during pregnancy and scheduled for a periodical examination of liver function, early treatment will be better.

Whether infected before or during pregnancy, the mother also needs to immediately notify a specialist with full information such as: ever sick, has been treated, how is the treatment process, time to take the medicine, ... so that the doctor can monitor the mother's illness, and at the same time give timely and appropriate treatment measures.
During pregnancy, mothers need to establish a suitable nutrition regimen to fully supplement the body's nutrients. Because hepatitis B will make pregnant women often feel tired, it is necessary to rest a lot, avoid working and working under stress or pressure.
For babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B virus, within a few hours of birth, the baby will receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and a shot of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg). . The next two doses of hepatitis B vaccine will be given to your baby over the next 6 months. After completing the above series of vaccinations, the baby will be tested for hepatitis B virus.
For a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery, the mother needs to be vaccinated before becoming pregnant. adequate as well as periodic health check to ensure the body is ready to enter the 9 month 10 day pregnancy journey. Vinmec International General Hospital provides customers with a package vaccination program from children to adults with full benefits and accompanying services.