Introduction:
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver infection. It can be acute (infection for a few weeks) or chronic and can progress to a life-long illness of the liver that can cause life-threatening complications. About 257 million people in the world are infected with HBV. The virus spreads through contact with infected semen, blood, or other body fluids. Children can get infected through vertical transmission from the infected mother. Vaccinations play a crucial role in preventing HBV infections in children and adults.
What Is the Most Common Route of Hepatitis B Transmission in Children?
The most common routes of spread of hepatitis B are vertical transmission, an infection that is spread from the mother to the child, and early childhood transmission. These result in chronic hepatitis B infection. Therefore, it is important to prevent such transmission to control the hepatitis B virus epidemic. Women with a greater viral load (higher level of hepatitis B virus in their blood) have a greater chance of transmitting the virus to their babies. The risk is as high as 70 to 90 percent without preventive interventions. Thus pregnant women with high hepatitis viral load may benefit from prophylactic medications (antiviral prophylaxis) to protect their babies from the hepatitis B infection and to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Can Hepatitis B Infection Be Prevented in Children?
Hepatitis B infection is preventable. The best way to ensure protection against hepatitis B is through vaccination. The vaccines for hepatitis B are effective and safe. To be fully protected, the child must get all the shots of the hepatitis B vaccination series.
How to Prevent Hepatitis B in a Baby Born to a Woman With Hepatitis B?
Babies born to women with hepatitis B are at high risk of the infection and must be protected. If a newborn gets infected with the hepatitis B virus, they are at risk of lifelong hepatitis B infection. Eventually, this may lead to various health problems and complications as they grow up, including liver damage, cancer, and even death. Thus, hepatitis B vaccination is essential for all newborns to prevent the disease and protect them from its complications. It is essential that the baby completes all the hepatitis B vaccines in the series as recommended by their healthcare provider, usually during the first six months.
Generally, pregnant women are checked for hepatitis B infection during prenatal care and routine testing. During pregnancy, if the mother is found to have acute or chronic hepatitis B infection, drugs can be administered to lower the levels of the virus in their blood to protect the baby. Babies born to infected mothers can be protected in most cases. The newborns must receive the necessary hepatitis B vaccinations as their healthcare provider recommends to keep them safe. Infants born to hepatitis B-infected mothers can be administered a combination vaccine that contains hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine within the first 12 hours of birth to prevent the transmission of the infection from the mother to the baby.
New recommendations are given by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent transmission of the virus from the mother to the child. In addition to the hepatitis B vaccination series for newborns, WHO recommends that infected pregnant women with an HBV DNA viral load greater than 200,000 international units/milliliter (IU/mL) should receive Tenofovir prophylaxis. This preventive therapy must be administered from the 28th week of pregnancy till birth.
What Are the Key Steps to Prevent Hepatitis B Infection in Children?
The following can help to prevent hepatitis B infection in children:
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All children must receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
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The birth dose vaccine must be followed by a minimum of two additional HBV doses given at least four weeks apart. All three shots of the hepatitis B vaccine series must be given by the age of six months.
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Children must avoid contact with HBV (hepatitis B virus) infected body fluids and blood.
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Care should be taken to ensure that children do not share toothbrushes or other infected items that may contain the virus.
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Screening pregnant women during their prenatal care for hepatitis B infection is necessary.
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Mothers with hepatitis B infection should breastfeed their baby only after immunization.
Is the Hepatitis B Vaccine Safe for Infants and Children?
Vaccinations are safe and effective in protecting against hepatitis B infection. At times, children may experience soreness at the site of injection, but it is a common side effect seen in both children and adults. Some children may show allergic responses to the vaccines. Thus, children who have had serious allergic reactions to a dose of the vaccine previously should not be given the vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccine cannot cause hepatitis B as it does not contain live viruses. Extra doses of the vaccines are also safe and not harmful.
An additional or extra dose of the hepatitis B vaccine that is administered to increase and extend the vaccine's effectiveness is a booster dose. Booster doses are not necessary for all. Some children whose blood tests indicate insufficient immunity against hepatitis B may require booster doses to protect them against hepatitis B.
At Which Age Can Children Be Given Hepatitis B Vaccines to Prevent Infection?
Vaccination for hepatitis B can be given to all infants, children, and adolescents younger than 19 years. In addition, infants and children must ensure that they are vaccinated before any international travel, especially when visiting countries where hepatitis B infection is prevalent. If a shot in the hepatitis B vaccine series is missed or interrupted, it is advisable to give the next dose to the children as soon as possible.
Conclusion:
Many children do not have long-term infections. However, some. especially younger children, develop chronic hepatitis B infection, which can lead to complications such as long-term liver damage. Parents and caregivers must ensure that they educate the children to avoid contact with HBV-infected items and body fluids. Mother-to-child transmission of the virus can be prevented by administering infant hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis to newborns. Mothers should receive peripartum preventive treatment and prophylaxis to ensure additional protection. Vaccinations play a vital role in preventing hepatitis B infections in children.
