Programs
Hepatitis B & Pregnancy
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be passed from an infected person to their child during birth. Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. Some people, particularly those who are infected in adulthood, are able to clear the virus from their body. For others, their hepatitis B infection will be a life-long infection. Hepatitis B can lead to serious health complications, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. People who are infected as infants have a much higher chance of having a life-long infection and potentially facing these negative health outcomes. There is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis B. There are over 257 million people living with hepatitis B around the world, with more than 850,000 estimated infections in the US.
Our perinatal hepatitis B prevention program works closely with the Minnesota Dept. of Health to identify HBV-positive people and ensure timely and appropriate treatment is provided to their infants.
Prevention
The best way to prevent perinatal hepatitis B is for babies to be vaccinated at birth.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is a 3-4 dose series that occurs shortly after birth, at 1-2 months, and at 6-18 months of age.
Transmission
Hepatitis B is spread from:
- Mother to baby during childbirth
- Coming in contact with blood from a person with hepatitis B
- Sexual contact
- Sharing personal care items (like razor, toothbrush, or nail clippers)
Testing
Who should be tested for Hepatitis B:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with someone who has Hepatitis B
- People born in areas where Hepatitis B is more common
- People whose parents are from an area where Hepatitis B is more common.
Resources
Contact Information
If you have questions about vaccinating, call the Perinatal Hepatitis B program, 800.657.3970