Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP)

The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program is a tracking and reminder program for infants and household contacts of pregnant women who have hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive).

What is the goal of the PHBPP?

The main goal of the PHBPP is to reduce the incidence of hepatitis B in infants born to women with hepatitis B.

How is this goal achieved?

• First, HBsAg-positive pregnant women must be identified:
  • All women should be screened for hepatitis B (HBsAg) during each pregnancy.
  • Women who test negative for HBsAg early in their pregnancy but who are at increased risk for hepatitis B should be screened again at the time of delivery.
• All HBsAg-positive pregnant women should be reported to the health department during their pregnancy and at the time of their delivery.
• A follow-up system is in place to help assure that infants born to HBsAg-positive women receive appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis.
• Additionally, all household and sexual contacts of pregnant women with hepatitis B should be identified, and
  • Susceptible contacts should receive the 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine.
  • Any contacts with a recent exposure may also need hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), if a substantial exposure to a HBsAg-positive woman has occurred within the last 14 days.

What is the appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis for infants born to HBsAg-positive women?

• HBIG and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine given within 12 hours of birth (or at least within 7 days after birth)
• 2 additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine, given at 1-2 months of age and 6 months of age (dose 3 should not be given before infant is 6 months of age)

What about follow-up blood testing of these infants?

• Infants born to HBsAg-positive women should be screened for HBsAg (to see if they have hepatitis B) and anti-HBs (to see if they have adequate antibody (are protected) against hepatitis B).
• This follow-up testing should be done 3 to 9 months after dose #3 of hepatitis B vaccine (at 9-15 months of age).

How and when do I report a pregnant women who has hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive)?

• Hepatitis B in pregnant women is a legally notifiable condition and should be reported within 3 days to the health department.
• All pregnant women who are HBsAg-positive should be reported to the health department as early in pregnancy as possible.
• Reporting of a HBsAg-positive pregnant woman to Public Health-Seattle & King County can be done in the following ways:
  • Call Communicable Disease Control, Epidemiology, & Immunization at (206) 296-4774
  • Call the 24-hour report line at (206) 296-4782, push "3" to report PHBPP information, or
  • Fax a completed PHBPP "Confidential Case Report Form" to (206) 296-4803.

Questions about the PHBPP?

• Call 206-296-4774 for questions.
• PHBPP materials, such as the "Confidential Case Report Form" and the "PHBPP Manual" can be ordered using any of the above 3 contact numbers.
• The above contact numbers can also be used to report vaccine doses and test results on infants and household contacts of women enrolled in the program.