Telbivudine Therapy in HBeAg-positive Pregnant Women to Prevent Mother-to-infant Transmission of HBV

Infants of HBV-infected mothers with positive HBeAg have an increased risk of becoming infected with HBV. Standard immunoprophylaxis against mother-to-infant transmission of HBV includes administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine; however, approximately 5-15% of the infants are not protected despite having received these preventive measures. It is reported that antiviral prophylaxis among HBV-infected pregnant women can reduce mother-to-infant transmission of HBV. However, more research is needed to obtain the definite conclusion. This study will determine whether telbivudine among HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive pregnant women during the third trimester, in addition to standard immunoprophylaxis in infants, will be more effective than standard immunoprophylaxis alone at preventing HBV infections in these infants.