Prevention and Standard of Care
Hepatitis B can be passed from a positive mother to her infant during birth. Approximately 90% of infants who become infected with hepatitis B within the first year of life will develop chronic infection. The purpose of the Louisiana Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program is to decrease and eliminate the transmission of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) from mother-to-child in the state of Louisiana. The program was established in 1990 and has been successful in reducing HBV in adults and infants by following national guidelines that include:
- Universal screening of pregnant women for of HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) during every pregnancy.
- Timely reporting (within 1 business day according to the State of Louisiana Sanitary Code, LAC: 51:II.105) of positive cases to the state health department.
- Universal vaccination of all infants with the complete 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series, including the first dose at birth.
- Ensuring proper immunoprophylaxis, hepatitis B birth dose and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth, for all infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers and mother of unknown hepatitis B status
- For infants born to infected mothers, completion of the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series by 6 months of age and the completion of post-vaccination serologic testing (HBsAg and anti-HBs) between 9-12 months of age.
Reporting Requirements
According to the State of Louisiana Sanitary Code, LAC: 51:II.105, hepatitis B in pregnant women is a Class B Disease. A positive hepatitis B result in a pregnant woman is required to be report within 1 business day of receipt of the positive lab result.
- Sanitary Code – State of Louisiana – Part II – The Control of Disease (updated June 2019)
- Guidance for health care providers about HIPAA and perinatal hepatitis B prevention
Please report cases to the Louisiana Perinatal Hepatitis B Program by phone (504) 568-2600 or by faxing the Perinatal Hepatitis B Surveillance Form to (504) 568-2659. Cases can also be reported by clicking here.
Universal Hepatitis B Birth Dose
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that all newborns receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine before discharge from the hospital or birthing facility. The CDC National Quality Forum (NQF) Perinatal Measure 0475 encourages that each hospital and birthing facility to measure the rate of administration of the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine to all infants prior to discharge during a specific time period (usually one calendar year).
Information for Pregnant Women and Mothers
- Hepatitis B and Moms-to-Be (Pamphlet)
- Protect Your Baby for Life (Pamphlet)
- Brief Introduction to Hepatitis B for Parents of Adopted Children
- 2019 Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 Years Old
- Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Sheet
- Louisiana Parish Health Unit - Contact Information
Information for Prenatal Care Providers
- Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection During Pregnancy Flowchart for Prenatal Providers
- New Guidance for Prenatal HBsAg Tests Available and Commercial Laboratories
- Screening and Referral Algorithm for HBV Infection Among Pregnant Women
- Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results
- Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Sheet
- Prevention of Hep B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States
Information for Birthing Hospitals
- Guidance for Developing Admission Orders in Laboratory and Newborn Units to Prevent Hepatitis B Virus Transmission
- Sample text for Developing Admission Orders in Newborn Units for the Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Dose
- Give the Birth Dose... Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth Saves Lives
- Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Sheet
- Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (January 2018)
- A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States (December 2005)
- Louisiana Perinatal Hepatitis B case report form
- Immunization Action Coalition's Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll
Information for Pediatric Providers
- A Pediatric Guide: Caring for Infants Born to Hepatitis B Infected Mothers
- Hepatitis B Vaccine Statement
- Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States
- Pink Book Hepatitis B Chapter
Additional Resources
- LINKS - Please access the “Document Center” for more program specific documents.
- Immunization program publications
- Program contact information
- CDC Viral Hepatitis
- Hep B Moms
- Immunization Action Coalition
- Hep B Foundation
- Asian Liver Foundation