A Shift in Thinking to Reduce Mother-to-Infant Transmission of Hepatitis B

The morbidity and mortality that are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been overshadowed by the public health prominence of other infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, tuberculosis, and malaria. There is a dawning realization that the disease burden from HBV infection is increasing, despite the existence of an effective vaccine.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that chronic HBV infection results in a quarter million deaths each year in the countries that are eligible for Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) support or cofinancing.2 A positive status for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and a maternal HBV . . .