Simplified Chinese
My father has hepatitis B—can he pass it on to the baby?
Release date:
2024-03-01
Author:
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Abstract
Text by/ Excerpted from Dr. Liver
Common routes of hepatitis B transmission include vertical transmission, bloodborne transmission, and sexual transmission. In China, mother-to-child transmission is the predominant mode of spread and a major reason for the large and persistent burden of chronic hepatitis B infection in the population. In recent years, awareness among women of childbearing age regarding maternal–infant transmission prevention has improved significantly. Many patients wonder: if the risk of mother-to-child transmission is high without intervention, can a father with chronic hepatitis B infection pass the virus to his children? How transmissible is it, and what preventive measures should be taken?
Can it be transmitted? Yes!
As early as 1987 As early as that year, foreign researchers discovered that artificial insemination (misadministration of HBsAg) Semen from individuals positive for the hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) can transmit the hepatitis B virus.
In fact, clinical observations frequently document cases in which the father is hepatitis B–positive, the mother is hepatitis B–negative, and the child is hepatitis B–positive; numerous studies support this transmission route. Researchers speculate that, in addition to close contact between parent and child, paternal transmission of hepatitis B also plays a significant role, as studies have shown that sperm from hepatitis B–positive individuals can indeed carry hepatitis B virus nucleic acid (HBV DNA). ). Additionally, in cases suspected of father-to-child transmission, the nucleic acid sequence homology between the father’s hepatitis B virus and that of his child ranges from 99.3% to 100%. , which has confirmed paternal–infant transmission at the molecular level.
How contagious is it? : The likelihood is very low.
Although current authoritative guidelines, both domestically and internationally, have not yet reached a definitive conclusion regarding the likelihood of paternal–infant vertical transmission, it is clear that such transmission is extremely rare—far less likely than mother–infant vertical transmission.
How can we prevent and block mother-to-child transmission?
If the father is an HBV carrier or has hepatitis B, the mother should be advised to receive the hepatitis B vaccine before conception. Studies have shown that adequate maternal anti‑HBs antibody levels can significantly reduce the risk of perinatal transmission from father to child. In addition, similar to measures for preventing mother‑to‑child transmission, the infant should be vaccinated against hepatitis B according to national guidelines until protective antibodies are developed; if necessary, hepatitis B immune globulin may be administered as passive immunization. In daily life, it is also important to avoid direct contact between family members’ blood and saliva—for example, do not share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items with children.
Since the hepatitis B virus load in semen is nearly proportional to that in blood, for fathers with particularly high viral loads in their blood—such as a viral load greater than 10— According to research, antiviral therapy that reduces viral load can significantly lower the risk of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. Therefore, male patients with chronic hepatitis B who meet the criteria for antiviral treatment should actively cooperate with their physicians to undergo such therapy, thereby both reducing the rate of mother-to-child transmission and improving their own liver disease prognosis.
Note: This material is intended for health education and should not be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you require medical care, we recommend seeking treatment at a reputable hospital.
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