County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
E-Mail:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov
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Acute Communicable Disease Control
Hepatitis B, Perinatal
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease transmitted through parenteral or mucous
membrane exposure to blood and other body fluids of individuals infected with the
hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is also transmitted from mother to infant during birth.
Within LAC, it is estimated that over 40% of infants born to hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg) positive women will become infected without prophylaxis. An estimated
90% of infants who become infected by perinatal transmission develop chronic HBV
infection and up to 25% will die from chronic liver disease as adults. Hepatitis B
vaccination and one dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), administered within
24 hours after birth, are 85–95% effective in preventing both HBV infection and the
chronic carrier state. Post-vaccination serologic testing is recommended 3–18 months
after completing immunoprophylaxis to verify vaccine success or failure. The
Immunization Program’s Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP) conducts
case management of HBsAg-positive pregnant women, their newborns, and household
contacts.
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease transmitted through parenteral or mucous
membrane exposure to blood and other body fluids of individuals infected with the
hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is also transmitted from mother to infant during birth.
Within LAC, it is estimated that over 40% of infants born to hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg) positive women will become infected without prophylaxis. An estimated
90% of infants who become infected by perinatal transmission develop chronic HBV
infection and up to 25% will die from chronic liver disease as adults. Hepatitis B
vaccination and one dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), administered within
24 hours after birth, are 85–95% effective in preventing both HBV infection and the
chronic carrier state. Post-vaccination serologic testing is recommended 3–18 months
after completing immunoprophylaxis to verify vaccine success or failure. The
Immunization Program’s Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP) conducts
case management of HBsAg-positive pregnant women, their newborns, and household
contacts.
