All issues > Volume 45(6); 2002

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2002;45(6):727-731. Published online June 15, 2002.

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

Eun Sook ES Park¹, Hae Kyung HK Lee¹, Chang Hee CH Oh¹, Sung Ku SK Kim¹, Hae Sun HS Yun¹, Won Keun WK Song², Young Ah YA Lee³

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanlim University, Seoul, Korea
³Lee Young Ah Pediatric Clinic, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Hae Sun HS Yun ,Email: ped2yoon@hanmail.net

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.

Keywords :HBsAg, HBeAg, Maternofetal transmission