Name: Princess C.

Vinluan

Course & Section: BSN 2-A

Instructor: Richard Pidlaoan

REACTION PAPER
(Breastfeeding if the mother has Hepatitis infection)

Breastfeeding is the most important needs of the baby, it protect babies against some short- and long-
term illnesses and diseases. What would happened to the baby if the mother has a Hepatitis B while
breastfeeding? Based on my research a mother who have Hepatitis B is safe to breastfeed her infant.
Breast milk will give the baby the best start possible, and can safely breastfeed if have hepatitis B so
long as the baby has received the recommended course of vaccinations. Is it safe for a mother infected
with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to breastfeed her infant? Yes, the baby will receive an injection of hepatitis
B immunoglobulin shortly after they are born.

They will then need to be screened for immunity at 9 months of age. Around 95% of babies born to
mothers with hepatitis B will not become infected. My responsibilities of perinatal health care providers
include identification of carrier mothers, prompt institution of immunoprophylaxis for the neonate, and
prevention of hepatitis B transmission to others within the hospital environment. These are the
precautionary measures in managing patient with hepatitis B, precautions include personal hygiene
practices (particularly hand washing) before and after every episode of patient contact, use of personal
protective equipment (e.g. gloves, gowns and protective eye wear), aseptic non-touch technique, safe
disposal systems for sharps and contaminated matter.By educating the mother also help them about
preventing Hepatitis infection.Hepatitis B (HBV) remains a significant public health burden, despite
effective therapy routine. HBV screening is recommended during pregnancy to reduce the risk of vertical
transmission.All pregnant women should be tested for HBsAg during an early prenatal visit in each
pregnancy, and all HBsAg-positive pregnant women should be tested for HBV DNA to guide the use of
maternal antiviral therapy during pregnancy.Risk factors for HBV infection include transfusion of
infectious blood and mother to child transmission (MTCT) of the virus.

Pregnancy is well tolerated by women with chronic hepatitis B infection, but postpartum reconstitution
of the immune system is associated with an elevated level of liver enzymes and active hepatitis. MTCT of
HBV can occur at three stages of pregnancy: intrauterine, intrapartum or postpartum, and the risk for
MTCT of HBV increases with high maternal viral load, positive HBeAg status, preterm labour, prolonged
labour and failure of immunoprophylaxis in siblings. The current standard of care for the prevention of
MTCT of HBV infection includes an active and passive immunoprophylaxis with HBV immunoglobulin and
vaccination administered immediately after birth to neonates of HBsAg positive mothers, and referral of
mothers to hepatology clinics for assessment and follow up.
Reference:

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/
hepatitis.html