PREVENTION OF VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-INFECTION - IS THERE A STANDARD POLICY IN FLANDERS (BELGIUM)

The perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from mother to c hild can be effectively prevented by the combined administration of he patitis B immunoglobulins (HBIg) and hepatitis B vaccine (HE vaccine) immediately after birth. This requires prenatal screening of all pregn ant women for HBsAg. In Belgium, a standard prevention policy does not exist. This study evaluated the current prevention policy of paediatr icians in Flanders, regarding the prevention of vertical transmission of HBV, and their knowledge regarding the reimbursement of the HE vacc ine for neonates of HBsAg-positive mothers. Ninety-one percent out of 134 participants administered both HBIg and HE vaccine. The recommende d timing, within 12 hours post-partum, was observed in 60.0% for HBIg and in 50.3% for HE vaccine. Twenty-five percent of the respondents an swered not to be well informed regarding the reimbursement of the HE v accine. A preliminary study in Flanders among gynaecologists showed th at 27 out of 29 routinely screened pregnant women for HBV, but the typ e of serology tested and the timing of this prenatal screening were ve ry heterogeneous, We conclude that a standard policy regarding the pre vention of vertical transmission of HBV is currently lacking in Flande rs.