Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program

Tarrant County Public Health's Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program provides case management for infants born to mothers who test Hepatitis B positive during prenatal care or at the time of delivery.

Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection of the liver that can be passed from mother to infant at the time of birth. When infants become infected with the virus, they are usually infected for life. Case management services will help ensure the infant receives appropriate prevention medications at birth, completion of all Hepatitis B vaccinations and completion of special lab tests to determine the success or failure of the treatment. 

For eligible clients the program offers testing, vaccinations and extensive education to prevent the infection in all household members. Prenatal providers are also encouraged to contact the local health department if they diagnose Hepatitis B in a pregnant patient.

For more information regarding these services, call 817-321-4882.   

Perinatal Hepatitis B brochure in English.

Perinatal Hepatitis B brochure in Vietnamese.

"If You or Your Family Member Were Born in Southeast Asia" - CDC infographic     (English) (Vietnamese)

Regarding pregnant women with Hepatitis B

Who should be tested for Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B testing is recommended for:

• People born in many Asian countries, especially Southeast Asia
• People whose parents were born in Asian countries, especially Southeast Asia.
• People who live with someone who has Hepatitis B
• People who have other risk factors for exposure to Hepatitis B, such as a history of intravenous drug use, sexually transmitted diseases and body piercing or tattooing with unsterile equipment
  

Why is Hepatitis B so serious in pregnant women?
Hepatitis B-infected mother can transmit the disease to their babies at the time of birth.  Without proper vaccinations, many of them develop life-long Hepatitis B infections.  

If I have Hepatitis B, what can I do to protect my baby?

• Let the nurses and doctors at the hospital where you will deliver your baby know.
• Make sure your baby receives the Hepatitis B Vaccine and Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) vaccine.

• One to two months after the last vaccine, your baby should have a blood test to ensure the vaccine worked.
• Even if you don’t have Hepatitis B, your baby should still receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series to protect him or her in the future.