[Vertical transmission of hepatitis B in infancy by asymptomatic HBs-antigen positive mothers].

Two cases of Hepatitis B in the infant period are presented. Both mothers were chronic asymptomatic HBsAntigen Carriers at the time of delivery. The high frequency of the HBs Antigen in pregnant women in a pilot-study in our area forces us to examinate the serum of each pregnant for HBs Antigen as a routine examination. Extended immunological diagnostics for the other hepatitis B antigens are recommended by each HBs-Antigen positive women. The prophylactic use of hyperimmunserum-globulin by such risk newborns is discussed.