Are Negative HbsAg And Positive Anti Hbc Blood Report Indicative Of Hepatitis B?

Posted on Fri, 11 Mar 2016

Question: Hello,

My wife delivered a baby girl on December 24th 2015. Baby is 1 month now, both baby and mother are doing good.

We had opted for stem cell banking with Lifecell. Couple of days back they sent us a maternal blood report which shows Anti-HBC as reactive. HBsAg is non-reactive. Does this indicate a Hepatitis B infection or a risk of the same in the mother or the baby?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get investigated as adviced

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through question and understand your concerns.
Negative HbsAg and positive anti Hbc antibody may be a case of occult hepatitis B with low viral load.
Ideally YOU should go for repeat HbsAg with HBV DNA testing.
You should also get ultrasound abdomen, liver function test and consultation of a hepatologist.
Any history of blood transfusion.
Any operative intervention or surgery earlier.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr Deepti XXXXXXX
OBGYN specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (10 minutes later)

Hello Doctor. Are the investigations you suggested for mother or baby? Could both be carrying the virus?

No blood transfusion history for the mother. C section for this baby was the first surgery for her.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Both

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, these investigations are for the motherand the baby both.
Both can carry the virus.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar