Effect of different antiviral regimens on the viral loads in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection and their impact on mother‐to‐child transmission

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to explore the benefits of different antiviral regimens in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in an attempt to provide scientific reference for clinically relevant interventions. Methods The study cohort comprised 64 pregnant women with HBV infection who presented to our hospital from May 2018 to July 2020. The women were grouped according to the treatment administered: a control group consisting of 32 pregnant women who received routine intervention and an observation group consisting of 32 pregnant women who received routine intervention plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) tablets. The two groups were compared in terms of liver function; HBV load (HBV DNA); neonatal characteristics (hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA positivity); levels of interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, and IL‐6; neonatal growth and development; Apgar scores; incidence of adverse events; and incidence of maternal adverse effects during treatment. Results The observation group had lower levels of alanine aminotransferase, glutamic acid aminotransferase, IL‐4, IL‐6, and HBV DNA and higher levels of IL‐2 than the control group after 1 month of treatment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion The administration of TDF tablets significantly reduced the HBV DNA levels and did not increase the physiological burden or adverse effects in pregnant women with HBV infection.