[Hepatitis B screening in pregnant patients and their children. A Greifswald perinatology-pediatric study. II. Pediatric findings].

Hepatitis B virus carriers were identified by a systematic screening of women during the last trimester of pregnancy. With 0.5% the HBV carrier incidence was found to be constant over years. 25 children of HBsAg positive women were followed after 2-4 years in order to define the risk of vertical transmission. One infant died due to the sequelae of a congenital malformation. In 12 of the remaining infants HBV markers were found after different intervals, in 10 of them also clinical and paraclinical symptoms of HBV infection could be diagnosed. The results are discussed in relation to the maternal serologic status and with regard to different preventive measures. Summarizing our results the following recommendations can be given: A mass screening for HBV during pregnancy is the only safe method of diagnosing HBsAg positive carriers. All newborns of HBsAg positive pregnants should be vaccinated immediately after birth, both actively and passively.