KDPH Immunization Branch: Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during the perinatal period remains a preventable cause of chronic liver disease in infants. Without appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis, up to 90% of infants infected at birth will develop chronic HBV infection, placing them at increased risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma later in life. This presentation reviews the epidemiology of perinatal HBV transmission, recommended screening and testing during pregnancy, and the critical role of timely newborn vaccination and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) administration. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of coordinated maternal screening, public health reporting, and immediate infant immunization to prevent vertical transmission. Strategies for addressing vaccine safety concerns and communicating effectively with vaccine-hesitant families will be discussed. Opportunities to strengthen collaboration between healthcare providers and public health programs to improve prevention of perinatal hepatitis B transmission will also be highlighted.
Roberta Butler, RN, MSN, is the Perinatal Hepatitis B Coordinator for the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Immunization Hepatitis B Program. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2003 and has dedicated over 30 years to caring for mothers and babies as a Labor and Delivery nurse.
Passionate about maternal and neonatal health, Roberta is committed to protecting families from vaccine-preventable diseases across Kentucky. She lives in Morehead, KY, with her husband of 43 years and is grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public health.