A 45 day – old infant developed icterus and two days later symptoms and signs of acute liver failure appeared. Child was found to be positive for Hbs Ag. The mother was also HBs Ag carrier. The mother’s hepatitis B serological profile is likely to be ?
A 45 day – old infant developed icterus and two days later symptoms and signs of acute liver failure appeared. Child was found to be positive for Hbs Ag. The mother was also HBs Ag carrier. The mother’s hepatitis B serological profile is likely to be ?
💡 Explanation
**Core Concept**
The question involves a case of vertical transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child, leading to acute liver failure in the infant. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission from mother to child can occur during birth, and the risk is higher if the mother is a carrier of the virus.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Given that the child developed symptoms of acute liver failure and was positive for HBsAg, it indicates that the child was infected with HBV, likely from the mother during birth. The mother being an HBsAg carrier increases the risk of transmission.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify the hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) status, which is crucial in determining the infectivity of the mother.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the presence of HBsAg alone does not necessarily indicate high infectivity.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify the HBeAg status.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's crucial to note that mothers who are HBsAg positive and HBeAg positive have a higher risk of transmitting HBV to their infants.
**Correct Answer:** D. HBsAg + HBeAg +
✓ Correct Answer: B. HBs Ag and Hbe Ag positivity
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