Management and Development of Newborns from Mothers Carrying HBsAg at the El Rapha Polyclinic in Libreville, Gabon

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a significant public health problem. Infected children <6 years represent a risk population of evolution to chronicity. Objective: We aimed to assess newborns’ management and outcome from reactive HBs Ag mothers at the El Rapha Polyclinic in Libreville, Gabon. Methodology: Prospective longitudinal study, carried out over four years, including all neonates born from reactive HBsAg mothers admitted in the delivery room. The parameters studied were maternal age, gestation, marital status, pregnancy follow-up, hepatitis B vaccination status, knowledge of hepatitis B, anti-Hbc antibodies’ levels, HBeAg. For the newborn: term, birth weight, management at birth, and hepatitis B serological status at 12 months. Results: We included 45 newborns. Mothers’ mean age was 30.9 ± seven years. In 32.6% of cases, antenatal consultations were ≤4, and 9.3% were vaccinated for hepatitis B. Mothers had chronic hepatitis in 74.4% of cases. All neonates were vaccinated for hepatitis B at birth; 68.9% received hepatitis B immunoglobulin. At 12 months, 77.8% had HBs antibody positive, and 6.7% were HBsAg positive. Conclusion: Hepatitis B prevalence is significant among parturients. It is essential to set up a national strategy for managing the mother-child couple in a context of positive HBsAg.