Clinical investigation on the vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus from father to neonate

Objective To investigate the infection and prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the neonates whose fathers were positive with hepatitis B virus surface antigen(HBsAg). Methods HBV DNA were detected in 56 neonates whose fathers were HBsAg positive and mothers were without HBV markers, 10 neonates whose parents were both negative for any HBV markers were as controls. Results There were 2 positive HBV DNA samples in study group, and the HBV markers of the 2 neonates'fathers were HBsAg( + )HBeAg( + ) HBcAb( + ) ,while the detection of HBV DNAs were all negative in the control group. Conclusion HBV may transmit to next generation through the male with HBsAg( + ). Key words: Hepatitis B virus; Vertical transmission; Infection rate