With breast milk, pathogens can be transmitted and cause the corresponding disease in the children, with different manifestations of the course of the disease. Important infections in this context are hepatitis B and C.
Hepatitis B
Infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers should receive active or passive immunization postnatally (after birth) within the first 12 hours, regardless of whether the mother has an acute or chronic infection and whether the infant is breastfed or not. Thereafter, the infant may be breastfed without restriction.
Note: If active immunization is given, booster vaccinations must be remembered.
Hepatitis C
Transmission of hepatitis C virus to the infant through breast milk has not been demonstrated to date. However, a theoretical residual risk exists. For example, the virus can enter the breast milk through injuries to the nipples (nipples) from infectious maternal blood. In this case, the mother should suspend breastfeeding until the injury heals.The National Breastfeeding Commission recommends encouraging mothers to breastfeed after appropriate counseling.
Other hepatitides
Hepatitis A virus is not transmitted through breast milk. However, there is a risk through close physical contact. Therefore, the newborn should be passively immunized with standard immunoglobulins.
Data on hepatitis D virus transmission via breast milk are not yet available. Since hepatitis D infection never occurs in the absence of hepatitis B infection, protection against hepatitis B infection is also protection against hepatitis D infection (see above).
A mother’s infection with hepatitis E is not a contraindication to breastfeeding. Although the virus is detectable in breast milk, transmission to the infant has not been observed.