How to prevent perinatal hepatitis B transmission

 Pregnancy and delivery

 The DHS perinatal hepatitis B program

 Resources for physicians and healthcare providers

 2004 Survey

About Oregon Health Services' Perinatal Hepatitis B Program

• Support local health departments as they take the lead role in coordinating perinatal hepatitis B prevention activities in their respective jurisdictions. These prevention services should be provided to all pregnant women identified as HBsAg-positive regardless of their source of payment for prenatal and delivery services.
• The Oregon Public Health Laboratory will test specimens submitted on pregnant women and their household and sexual contacts and infants. Hepatitis B vaccine is available from OHS's Immunization Program for infants born to HBsAg-positive women, as well as their household and current sexual contacts. OHS and local health departments will assist with educational and consultative services as needed.
• Ensure that all maternity patients are screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
• Ensure that infants of HBsAg positive mothers are given the proper biologicals at birth and that two additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine are given at the appropriate time in infancy.
• Ensure that post-vaccination serology is completed by 3 to 9 months after the final dose of vaccine.
• Ensure that all household and sexual contacts are identified, screened for HBsAg or antibodies to hepatitis B, and given hepatitis B vaccine if indicated.
• Ensure that all infants and household and sexual contacts of HBsAg-positive maternity patients are referred to the program and receive care as outlined above.