Pregnancy often comes with many health concerns, especially when a mother is diagnosed with an infection like Hepatitis B.
One of the biggest fears expectant parents face is whether the infection can affect the unborn baby.
Doctors say the answer is yes, Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child.
However, they also stress that with early diagnosis, proper antenatal care, and immediate protection after birth, the risk can be reduced to very low levels.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It spreads through infected blood and body fluids. Globally, one of the most common ways the infection spreads is through mother-to-child transmission during childbirth.
But medical advancements, screening programs, and strict vaccination protocols have made it possible for mothers with Hepatitis B to deliver healthy babies safely.
Here is what experts from Motherhood Hospitals and Rainbow Children’s Hospital say.
HOW CAN HEPATITIS B PASS FROM MOTHER TO BABY?
According to Dr Thejaswini J, Consultant – Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Electronic City, Bengaluru, the highest risk of transmission happens during childbirth.
During delivery, the baby may come into contact with infected maternal blood. If preventive steps are not taken, especially in mothers who have a high viral load, the chances of transmission can be significant.
Dr Shwetha S Kamath, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hebbal, explains that mother-to-child transmission is one of the major ways Hepatitis B spreads worldwide.
The risk becomes especially high when:
- The mother has a high viral load
- The mother tests positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).
Without protective measures, the transmission rate in such cases can reach between 70 and 90 per cent.
WHY IS HEPATITIS DANGEROUS FOR NEWBORNS?
If a baby contracts Hepatitis B at birth, the risk of long-term complications is very high.
Doctors explain that newborns have immature immune systems. Because of this, nearly 90 per cent of infected babies may develop chronic Hepatitis B.
Chronic infection can silently damage the liver over many years. In adulthood, this may increase the risk of:
- Liver cirrhosis
- Liver failure
- Liver cancer
This is why prevention at birth is extremely critical.
THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: VACCINATION WITHIN HOURS OF BIRTH
The good news is that transmission can be prevented in most cases.
Experts stress that babies born to Hepatitis B-positive mothers must receive:
- The first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine
- Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG)
Both should ideally be given within 12 to 24 hours after birth.
This timely intervention reduces the risk of infection to below 5 per cent. After this, the baby must complete the full vaccination schedule over the next few months.
With proper immunoprophylaxis, breastfeeding is considered safe.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING PREGNANCY?
Universal antenatal screening plays a crucial role. All pregnant women are advised to get tested for Hepatitis B during routine prenatal check-ups.
If a woman tests positive:
- Doctors monitor liver function and viral load closely.
- If viral levels are high, antiviral therapy may be started in the third trimester.
Starting antiviral treatment in late pregnancy can help lower the viral load and reduce the chances of passing the virus to the baby.
Structured monitoring and expert obstetric care are key to safe delivery.
CAN MOTHERS WITH HEPATITIS B HAVE HEALTHY BABIES?
Yes, absolutely.
Both experts emphasise that with proper medical care, strict adherence to vaccination protocols, and timely treatment, most mothers with Hepatitis B go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
The condition requires awareness, but it is manageable. Early diagnosis, careful monitoring, and immediate newborn protection make a significant difference.
Hepatitis B in pregnancy does carry a risk, but it is not a reason to panic.
Timely testing, antiviral treatment when needed, and vaccination within hours of birth can protect the baby effectively.
With the right care and medical guidance, mothers with Hepatitis B can safely welcome healthy children into the world.
