A full term boy was born to a mother diagnosed antenatally with Hepatitis B surface Ag positive (HBAg positive). Her delivery was unremarkable and the newborn weighed 3.4 kg and wa... A full term boy was born to a mother diagnosed antenatally with Hepatitis B surface Ag positive (HBAg positive). Her delivery was unremarkable and the newborn weighed 3.4 kg and was normal on assessment. He received the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B Immunoglobulins within the first 4 hours. The mother is very enthusiastic to breastfeed her child as she did with her previous children. Which of the following is the best advice? A. Wait 12 hours before B. Encourage breastfeeding C. Advise not to breastfeed D. Measure HbsAg, then decide Read more

Understand the Problem

The question describes a scenario where a full-term baby boy is born to a mother with Hepatitis B. The newborn received the hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulins shortly after birth, and the mother wants to breastfeed. The question asks for the best advice to provide in this situation.

More Information

According to the CDC and other sources, breastfeeding is not contraindicated when the infant has received both the hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG shortly after birth. These interventions provide protection for the infant.

Tips

A common mistake is to assume that hepatitis B positive mothers can not breastfeed. However, hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin are effective in preventing transmission of the virus through breastmilk.

Sources

• Management of Infants Born to Women with Hepatitis B Virus ... - CDC - cdc.gov
• Infants born to mothers who are hepatitis B surface antigen–positive ... - immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au
• Pediatric Hepatitis B - AASLD - aasld.org