CSOG MFM Committee Guideline: Management of Hepatitis B During Pregnancy and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (2020)

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the main cause of chronic hepatitis B. The prevention of MTCT plays a critical role in control chronic hepatitis B. The main purpose of the present clinical guidelines is to aid healthcare providers in managing pregnant women with positive HBsAg and in preventing MTCT of HBV. We recommend: (1) all pregnant women require prenatal screen for hepatitis B serological markers; (2) newborn infants of mothers with negative hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) require administration of hepatitis B vaccine on a 0, 1, and 6 month-schedule; (3) newborn infants of mothers with positive HBsAg need hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and birth dose vaccine within 12 hours (the sooner the better) after birth, followed by injection of the second and third dose of hepatitis B vaccine at the age of one and six months respectively; (4) in preterm neonates or neonates with poor health conditions born to HBsAg-positive mothers, the immunoprophylaxis measures should be appropriately taken; (5) to further reduce MTCT of HBV, pregnant women with HBV DNA levels >2×105 IU/mL or positive hepatitis B e antigen may receive oral antivirals, starting from 28 to 32 weeks of gestation and discontinuing the drug on the delivery day; (6) cesarean section is not recommended to reduce MTCT of HBV; (7) breastfeeding is recommended in infants of HBsAg-positive mothers, regardless of maternally positive hepatitis B e antigen, maternal nipple injury or bleeding, oral mucosal injury in neonates or infants; (8) breastfeeding is recommended in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers who require continuation of antiviral therapy after delivery, and the infants should be followed up to observe whether adverse effects develop; and (9) the infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers should be tested for hepatitis B serological markers at the age of 7-12 months, and those who are negative for HBsAg and anti-HBs should receive three doses of hepatitis B vaccine on the 0, 1, and 6 month-schedule as soon as possible.