Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention

Goals of the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP)

1. To reduce the incidence of hepatitis B in infants born to women infected with hepatitis B through routine prenatal testing.
2. To ensure timely and appropriate follow-up treatment and testing to all infants born to Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers.
3. Provide testing and treatment to household members and sexual contacts of HBsAg positive mothers.
4. To educate hospital staff, physicians, and mothers on the prevention of the hepatitis B virus infection in infants.

Texas Law Requires Screening for Hepatitis B

1. Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 97 Subchapter F Rule 97.135.
2. Texas law requires that every pregnant woman be tested for HBsAg at the first prenatal doctor’s visit and at the time of delivery.
3. Report all positive HBsAg prenatal women to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Dose and Reporting HBsAg-Positive Pregnant Women

1. Birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine was recommendation approved by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in October 2001
2. Adds “safety net” against perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus.
3. All physicians’ offices, clinics, and birthing hospitals are required to report to the SAMHD any HBsAg-positive pregnant woman as soon as their test results are known.  It is a state law that all positive HBsAg be reported to the PHBPP.
4. To report a positive patient complete the Perinatal Hepatitis B Referral Form and fax it to 207-2007.  For the referral form click here (referral form)

Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program Activities

How is a case initiated?

1. From lab slips received from the Texas Department of State Health Services, referrals from providers, and consent forms from hospitals.
2. Investigates to ensure mother is positive for HBsAg from the reporting laboratory or hospital.
3. Conduct a home visit in two weeks to educate mother about her hepatitis B status and the importance of protecting her infant from infection.

Case Management Activities

1. Ensure first dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) are provided to the infant within 12 hours of birth.
2. Monitor infants through completion of hepatitis B series and ensure post vaccination testing 3-9 months after HBV series completion.
3. Offer testing and immunization to household members & sexual contacts at no cost.
4. Educate the Mother about the following
1. What the Lab results means
2. The possible course of the disease
3. How the patient can take care of herself
4. How the patient can avoid giving it to others
5. The seriousness of the disease in infants
6. How the infant will need to be treated and case managed

SAMHD Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program Contacts

Roberta Olson, RN, BSN
(210) 207-2272 Office
(210) 207-2007 Fax, (210) 336-6142 Cell
Email: Roberta.Olson@sanantonio.gov

Tom Gonzalez, MLT
(210) 207-2088 Office
(210) 207-2007 Fax, (210) 508-4622 Cell
Email: tom.gonzalez@sanantonio.gov

Rose Vasquez, LVN
(210) 207-2091 Office
(210) 207-2007 Fax, (210) 559-1136
Email: rosemarie.vasquez@sanantonio.gov