A cautionary note to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative test results in pregnant women in an area prevalent of HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B

Maternal hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) positivity poses a risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT). In resource‐constrained settings, HBeAg testing is recommended as an alternative to HBV DNA testing to establish antiviral prophylaxis eligibility. Nevertheless, the high prevalence of HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (e‐CHB) in many countries should not be overlooked. We studied HBV characteristics and explored the potential MTCT risk among HBeAg‐negative/HBsAg‐positive expectant mothers in an area prevalent of e‐CHB. Among 1348 pregnant mothers screened for HBV infection, 81 (6.0%) were HBsAg‐positive. These women were examined for HBeAg, HBV DNA, and cord blood HBV DNA. Sixteen (19.8%) of the HBsAg‐positive mothers were HBeAg‐positive, whereas 65 (80.2%) were HBeAg‐negative, including eight inactive carriers (HBsAg