Question
The male partner is a hepatitis B virus carrier, and the female partner is pregnant with positive antibodies. What pre-natal screening programs should the female undergo? What are the main projects tested in pre-natal screening?
Answer
Most hepatitis B virus infections occur during the delivery of mothers who are hepatitis B virus positive, where the virus is transmitted to newborns through blood. Administering the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns can effectively prevent most infections. After newborns are infected with the hepatitis B virus, most present with asymptomatic carriage, meaning they have a persistent hepatitis B virus infection within their bodies but show no significant liver damage, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, which reflect liver cell function, are not high. This condition can last for many years, and some children may even naturally clear the virus from their bodies. If there is only a hepatitis B virus infection and the transaminase levels remain normal during childhood, treatment should not be undertaken blindly. Currently, there is no curative method for medication, and children’s immune systems are in a state of tolerance, making it difficult to clear the virus. However, if diagnosed by a doctor as having recurrent hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus infection, treatment should be sought promptly to control the progression of the disease. Treatment involves using liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering drugs for symptomatic treatment, and considering antiviral therapy. The response of children to interferon treatment is similar to that of adults, and under standardized dosages and treatment regimens, no more significant side effects have been observed than in adults. In summary, since treating hepatitis B infection in childhood does not necessarily yield better results than in adulthood, and if there are no obvious indicators of liver damage, antiviral or immunomodulatory treatments should not be performed.