Inadequate Antiviral Use in Pregnant Women with Chronic Hepatitis B at High Risk for Vertical Transmission

13% (19) women had HBV DNA levels > 1,000,000 IU/ml in the third trimester of pregnancy which qualified them for initiation of treatment for chronic hepatitis B to prevent vertical transmission. However, 10 of the eligible 19 patients (53%) were not initiated on treatment during pregnancy to prevent vertical transmission. 7 of the 10 patients (64%) were never offered antiviral therapy by their hepatologist during their third trimester to prevent vertical transmission. 3 of the 10 patients declined (27%) antiviral prophylaxis. 9 of the 19 women (47%) initiated antiviral therapy in third trimester to prevent vertical transmission: Five were initiated on tenofovir, three on lamivudine, and one on telbivudine. HBIG and vaccines were successfully administered in a timely fashion in all 93 (100%) infants for whom this data was available.