When can infants undergo hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) testing?

Question

The father of the child is an HBsAg carrier with a negative HBeAg, and the mother has antibodies. The question is whether there is a risk of transmitting hepatitis B to the infant, and when it is appropriate to conduct hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) testing for the infant.

Answer

Given that the child’s father is an HBsAg carrier, it is generally believed that the infant will not be infected with hepatitis B from the father. Recommendation: There is currently no need to conduct hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) testing for the infant. If the mother is an HBsAg carrier, there may be transmission to the infant intrauterine, but it is not recommended at this time to conduct hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) testing for the infant.