What should you know about hepatitis B at birth?

A baby can be exposed to hepatitis B during birth if the birthing parent has current infection. Newborn protection is arranged quickly after delivery and is followed by scheduled vaccine doses and later testing when advised. The exact plan depends on the parent’s antigen and antibody results, the baby’s health, and local clinical guidance.

A parent may have no symptoms, so antenatal blood testing is useful even when they feel well. Fatigue or dark urine should be reported, but these symptoms do not establish hepatitis B. The parent’s clinician may also assess liver health with a Liver Function Test.

Tell the maternity, newborn, and paediatric teams about any hepatitis B result before delivery, and bring the laboratory report if available. Ask them to document the newborn plan, vaccine appointments, and any blood tests needed later. Do not delay communication if labour begins before a planned appointment.

The baby can be cared for and fed according to the clinical team’s advice. At home, avoid blood contact with open cuts and do not share items such as nail tools or toothbrushes. Household members should ask whether they need testing or Hepatitis B Vaccination.

Contact the maternity or paediatric team promptly if the birth plan is unclear, a dose was missed, or the parent receives a new reactive result. Seek urgent help for a newborn who is difficult to wake, struggling to breathe, feeding poorly, or showing signs of severe illness. Parents with jaundice, confusion, persistent vomiting, or severe abdominal swelling also need urgent assessment.

Ask: What were the parent’s exact hepatitis B markers? What protection does the baby need after birth? When are follow-up doses and tests due? Who will record them? Should other household members be tested or vaccinated?