- By Prerna Targhotra
- Mon, 29 Jul 2024 05:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hepatitis is an infection that often causes inflammation in the liver. The infection can be passed from a pregnant mother to her baby. However, with proper knowledge and preventive measures, this transmission from mother to baby can be considerably reduced. The foremost thing is to understand hepatitis viruses, especially hepatitis B and C.
Any expecting mother may harbour these viruses and hence infect her birth child, which can cause the latter to develop chronic liver disease. Thus, knowing about the infection and its preventive measures is very necessary. Dr. Sarthak Malik, Consultant - Gastroenterology And Hepatology, Manipal Hospital Dwarka listed some effective tips to prevent transmission of hepatitis from mother to baby.
Tips To Prevent Hepatitis From Mother To Baby
Prenatal Screening And Vaccination
All pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B and C at the first visit for prenatal care. The timely diagnosis of carriers makes it possible to provide adequate intervention measures to minimise the risk of transmission. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing HBV infection.
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Antiviral Treatment
In the third trimester, certain antiviral drugs can be prescribed to high-HBV mothers to lower the level of the virus circulating and decrease the risk of transmission. Mothers are also advised to have regular viral load and liver function tests during pregnancy, which would help develop treatment plans and ensure the health of the mother and her baby.
Safe Delivery Practices
Choosing the right mode of delivery is important. Though the risk is present in both vaginal and caesarean deliveries, the mode of delivery should be decided upon by the mother's viral load and upon the advice of the health provider. Sometimes, a caesarean section may be recommended to reduce the risk of transmission. This will also help minimise invasive procedures at birth, like the use of foetal scalp electrodes or forceps, that increase the risk of exposure of the baby to the mother's blood.
Tips To Prevent Hepatitis From Mother To Baby (Image Credits: Canva)
Postnatal Care And Breastfeeding
This means that the hepatitis B vaccination series should be completed after birth as scheduled. Regular follow-up and blood tests may be needed to check on the health of the baby and document their immunity to HBV. All mothers with hepatitis B can breastfeed their babies because the advantages associated with breastfeeding far outweigh the minimal risk of transmission of the infection to their children if the hepatitis B vaccine is provided as scheduled.
Educating And Empowering Mothers
It is essential to be aware of and know about hepatitis and its mode of transmission. Risk factors and preventive measures associated with hepatitis can be made known to empower mothers to take proactive responsibility for the protection of their babies. In this respect, regular consultations with healthcare providers, inclusive of obstetricians and hepatologists, can ensure personalised care and advice throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum phase. The difference that proactive steps to understand and implement these preventive measures can make in the health and well-being of both the mother and child could be enormous.
