Clin Mol Hepatol.  2018 Dec;24(4):374-383. 10.3350/cmh.2017.0082.

Effect of antiviral therapy in reducing perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus and maternal outcomes after discontinuing them

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. baesh@catholic.ac.kr
  • 3The Catholic University Liver Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center of Viral Hepatitis, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 5Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Department of Gastroentrology and Hepatology, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
There have been numerous efforts to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with antiviral agents during pregnancy. However, there are limited data regarding the outcomes of pregnant women after delivery. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral agents in preventing MTCT of HBV and maternal long-term outcomes.
METHODS
The HBV-infected pregnant women treated with antiviral agents to prevent MTCT were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-one pregnant women who received telbivudine or tenofovir during late pregnancy (28-34 week) were analyzed. Hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) positivity was tested in 43 infants after 7 months of birth. Eleven mothers were followed >1 year after delivery.
RESULTS
The mean HBV DNA titer before antiviral therapy was 8.67 (6.60-9.49) log copies/mL, and the median age at delivery was 32 years (range, 22-40). Eleven patients were treated with tenofovir and 30 with telbivudine. The median duration was 57 days (range, 23-100), and the median HBV DNA titer at birth was 5.06 log copies/mL (range, 2.06-6.50). Antiviral treatments were associated with significant HBV DNA reduction (P < 0.001). Among 43 infants (two cases of twins), HBsAb was not detected in two, subsequently confirmed to have HBV infection. Biochemical flare was observed in two of 11 mothers followed >12 months, and an antiviral agent was administered.
CONCLUSIONS
Antiviral treatment during late pregnancy effectively reduced MTCT. Long-term follow-up should be required in such cases. In addition, given that maternal biochemical flare occurred in 18% of mothers, re-administration of antiviral agents might be required.

Keyword

Mother-to-child transmission; Hepatitis B virus; Pregnancy; Antiviral agents; Postpartum

MeSH Terms

Antiviral Agents
DNA
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis B virus*
Hepatitis B*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Infant
Mothers
Parturition
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Retrospective Studies
Tenofovir
Antiviral Agents
DNA
Tenofovir
Full Text Links
  • CMH
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr