Hepatitis b virus (hbv) infection in newborns

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Hepatitis B virus infection causes inflammation of the liver.

Newborns may become infected at birth or rarely after birth.
Newborns who develop symptoms have jaundice, lethargy, and failure to thrive.
The diagnosis is typically based on blood tests.
Children are at risk of liver problems later in life.
The hepatitis B vaccine and sometimes hepatitis B immune globulin are given to newborns to protect them against the infection.

(See also Overview of Infections in Newborns and Overview of Hepatitis.)
Hepatitis B is a type of hepatitis virus newborns can contract and is a cause of great concern in newborns.
The infection occurs during delivery if the mother is infected. However, newborns may become infected after birth from other sources, such as the mother