Successful Treatment of a South African Pediatric Case of Acute Liver Failure Caused by Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis B

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2019 Mar;38(3):e51-e53. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002054.

Abstract

We report on the successful treatment of a South African infant with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced acute liver failure using lamivudine with no evidence of clinical resistance. Perinatal HBV transmission occurred despite timely HBV vaccination at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, as per South African vaccination schedule, highlighting the need to introduce the birth-dose HBV vaccine in South Africa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / drug therapy
  • Liver Failure, Acute / virology*
  • Male
  • Mothers
  • Perinatal Care
  • South Africa
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Lamivudine