Hepatitis B and Pregnancy

Key points

• all pregnant women are offered screening for hepatitis B
• babies born to mothers who are chronically infected with hepatitis B or to mothers who've had acute hepatitis B during pregnancy should receive a complete course of vaccination + hepatitis B immunoglobulin
• studies are currently evaluating the role of oral antiviral treatment (e.g. Lamivudine) in the latter part of pregnancy
• there is little evidence to suggest caesarean section reduces vertical transmission rates
• hepatitis B cannot be transmitted via breastfeeding (in contrast to HIV)