Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant women and in their newborn babies

ABSTRACT

The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBs] in 100 pregnant women and its transfer to their newborn babies were studied. The presence of hepatitis B e antigen in positive HBsAg carrier mothers, anti-HBe and anti-HBc were also studied using ELISA technique. Among the 100 mothers there were 3 HBsAg positive cariers, but none of them HBsAg to their newborn babies at the time of delivery. Two out of 3 positive HBsAg were positive for anti-HBe. The 3 carriers were negative for HBeAg, 1 out of 3 had anti-HBe and 2 were negative for anti-HBc