Study on the efficacy of neonatal HBsAg content in venous blood to predict mother-to-children transmission of hepatitis B virus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of HBsAg status and content in neonatal venous blood to predict HBV mother-to-children transmission. Methods The study candidates from a prospective study about HBV mother-to-children transmission blocking who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity, and HBV DNA levels >105 IU/ml.All of their infants were enrolled.200 IU of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG)was injected within 6 hours after birth, and 200 IU HBIG was voluntarily selected 1 month after birth.All infants according to 0-1-6 month standard procedure were given 10 or 20 μg of hepatitis B vaccine. Pregnancy women before birth, and infants at the time of birth, 1-month and 7-month after birth, venous blood was tested for HBV virus and serological markers to assess the association with success of mother-to-children transmission blocking. Results 530 pregnant women and 530 neonates were enrolled. 60.75% at birth and 86.02% at birth for one month children were HBsAg-negative. The successful transmission in HBsAg-negative neonates was 100.00%. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the AUC of HBsAg content≥0.35 IU/ml at birth predicted to block failure was 0.979. The sensitivity was 85.60%, and the specificity was 100.00%. The AUC of HBsAg content≥0.18 IU/ ml at one month after birth predicted to block failure was 0.988, the sensitivity was 89.40%, and the specificity was 100.00%. Conclusions The HBsAg level in venous blood at birth and 1 month after birth can predict the failure of HBV mother-to-children transmission, and the neonates with HBsAg positivity in venous blood are a high-risk group that may block failure. Key words: Hepatitis B surface antigen; Hepatitis B vaccine; Hepatitis B immunoglobulin; Prediction