I request pafalafa-ga to answer this question if possible.

The doctor of my friend just mentioned today that the pregnant woman
with chlamydia also has "sleeping" hepatitis. He didn't mention it
before, he said, because it is so common in Vietnam that 20 to 30
percent of the population has it and because nothing can be done until
the baby is born.

The doctor describes her hepatitis in this way: Her blood sample
showed she is positive for the Hep B virus, but there are no signs of
any problems with her liver and she does not show antibodies in her
blood that would be present if the virus was active.

The doctor further stated that the normal procedure is to wait until
the baby is born and then give the baby an injection to protect him or
her from the virus.

I ask that you evaluate the doctor's statements and provide me with
information that will help my friend know if the recommendation of her
doctor just to wait until birth and give the baby an anti Hep B
injection is the best course of action.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 May 2006 05:41 PDT

jack64-ga,

Although the phrase "sleeping Hepatitis" is not commonly used here in
the US, it is not unusual to have a hepatitis-b infection and yet not
show any symptoms.

Take a look at this page for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:


http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm
Hepatitis B Frequently Asked Questions


and note, particularly, the language regarding pregnancy and neonates:


"...If your blood test is positive, your baby should receive the first
dose of hepatitis B vaccine, along with another shot, hepatitis B
immune globulin (called HBIG), at birth. The second dose of vaccine
should be given at aged 1-2 months and the third dose at aged 6 months
(but not before aged 24 weeks)..."


The CDC informatino page also notes that Vietnam is considered to have
a high incidence of the disease.


This site contains additional details (some of it beyond my ken,
unfortunately), but it does note this about breastfeeding which may be
of interest:


http://www.perinatology.com/exposures/Infection/HepatitisB.htm

"...With appropriate hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis, breast-feeding
poses no additional risk for transmission from infected hepatitis B
virus carriers..."


Both sites are unambiguously recommending a course of vaccinations for
the newborn where the mother is diagnosed with hepatitis-b.  In fact,
hepatitis-b vaccine is recommended for all infants in the US, even
when the mother is not a known carrier.


After you look these over, I imagine you might have need of additional
details or related information.  Let me know what more I can do for
you on this, and I'm more than happy to look into it for you.


paf

---

Clarification of Question by jack64-ga on 11 May 2006 07:03 PDT

My friend's doctor said there were two elements to the term "sleeping"
hepatitis (1) no symptoms and (2)no antibodies in the blood. These
antibodies would be present if the virus were to turn active,
according to him.

You can post your "clarification" as an answer because it fully
answered my question. Thank you for your research and prompt response.

You're quite welcome, and all the best to everyone.

One more link of interest may be this one:


http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/education/index.htm
Hepatitis B and You


an information pamphlet directed specifically at pregnant women, and
available in numerous languages, including Vietnamese.

Let me know if there's anything more I can do for you.


paf


search strategy -- searched Google and bookmarked medical sites for [ hepatitis-b ]