Abstract

The study on the vertical transmission of hepatitis B from mothers to their babies has been conducted. There were 185-serum sample taken from mothers when they delivered their babies, their newborn babies and after 2 months of age. RPHA (Reserve Passive Haemagglutination) method was applied to screen the sample for HBsAg. The positive results will be continued with ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for HBsAg, anti HBs, anti HBc, HBeAg and anti HBe. There were 44 (23,8%) mothers with positive HBsAg found by applying RPHA, and 6 mothers by ELISA. The HBsAg frequency was 3% among these mothers. Twelve mothers had a protective titer of anti HBs (> 10 IU/L). Three of four mothers delivered their babies with positive HBsAg and HBeAg and two of them persisted until 2 months later. One baby with positive HBsAg was born from a positive anti Hbe mother. Anti HBc was found in one mother and her baby, while anti Hbe was found in two mothers. The vertical transmission is 50% from positive HBsAg mothers and 75% from positive HBeAg ones.