Hepatitis B prophylaxis in newborns: A cross-sectional study of 7-year attendance in a public hospital of Brazil

Background Children with vertically transmitted hepatitis B virus develop chronic infection up to 90% of the time. This study aimed to verify the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in pregnant patients treated in a Brazilian public hospital and analyze the prophylactic measures in newborns. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by collcting data in the electronic charts of patients who attended the obstetric and maternity departments, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016, and evaluating the results of pregnant women's HBsAg, prophylaxis in newborns, and clinical follow-up. The data were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel software. Results Among the 7,763 participating patients, 109 were reactive to HBsAg, and 3 were indeterminate. However, only 28 had correct information on HBV prophylaxis with the parturient and newborn in the chart, and only 16 completed the follow-up. Conclusions Most of the HBsAg-positive pregnant women (75%) did not have prophylactic information in the charts, and almost 50% of the pregnant women and newborns who had appropriate prophylaxis did not return for medical follow-up. Failure of prophylaxis can promote vertical/perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus in newborns of mothers who are HBsAg positive.