A 45 day - old infant developed icterus and two days later symptoms and signs of acute liver failure appeared. Child was found to be positive for Hbs Ag. The mother was also HBs Ag carrier. The mother's hepatitis B serological profile is likely to be ?

Ans. is `b' i.e., HBs positive and Hbe Ag positive Perinatal transmission of HBV o Most impoant risk factor that determines perinatal transmission is HBe Ag. HBs Ag carrier mothers who are HBe Ag positive almost invariably (> 90%) transmit hepatitis B infection to their offspring, where as carrier mothers with anti HBe rarely (10 to 15%) infect their offspring. o Most common time of perinatal transmission is at the time of delivery. o Most of the infected neonates are asymptomatic carrier with increased chances of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.