Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38727925›Full record

ArticleInfection2024

Occult hepatitis B infection in children born to HBeAg-positive women confers a low long-term risk for HBsAg-positive infection.

Anders Eilard, Maria E Andersson, Rune Wejstål, Gunnar Norkrans, Magnus Lindh

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Infection, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Occult hepatitis B virus infection.Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Anders EilardDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, 413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden. anders.eilard@gu.se.
Maria E AnderssonDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, 413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Rune WejstålDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Gunnar NorkransDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Magnus LindhDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, 413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Funding

Cancerfonden CAN 20 1280 PjFSahlgrenska University Hospitals Research Foundations ALF-LUA 275108
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMother-to-child transmission (MTCT) has been the main cause of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, particularly in East Asia. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccination given directly after birth effectively prevents hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive (overt) HBV infection, but occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) may develop despite adequate prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome in children born to mothers with very high HBV DNA levels with special focus on children discovered in early childhood with OBI.

methodsOne-year and long-term outcome regarding overt and occult HBV infection were analysed in 66 children born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers, and were compared with one-year outcome in 69 children born to HBeAg-negative mothers. The children were born between 1998 and 2018.

resultsSix children born to HBeAg-positive mothers developed overt chronic HBV infection, in two cases after normal pregnancies and despite HBIG and vaccination, but never when nucleotide analogue treatment was given during pregnancy. OBI with HBV DNA detected in serum in the absence of surface antigen (HBsAg) was observed in four children at the age of 1 year. One of them was transiently HBsAg-positive at the age of 7 years. At long-term follow-up, six children had overt chronic infection, one had OBI and six had previous OBI or positive anti-HBc suggesting resolved unidentified infections.

conclusionThe results indicate that children born to mothers with high HBV DNA levels have approximately 10% risk to develop OBI despite antiviral treatment, vaccination and HBIG, but that such OBI confers a minimal long-term risk for overt infection, at least in immunocompetent children.

Indexed as

Hepatitis B e AntigensHepatitis B Surface AntigensInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalAdultChildChild, PreschoolDNA, ViralFemaleHepatitis BHepatitis B, ChronicHepatitis B virusHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMalePregnancyDNA, ViralHepatitis B e AntigensHepatitis B Surface AntigensHepatitis B virusMother-to-childOBIOccult

Identifiers

PMID38727925
PMCPMC11621201

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.