Evidence for Use of Tenofovir in Pregnancy to Prevent Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis B Infection.

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus continues to be a serious global public health concern. Transmission failures are related to high maternal viremia. Several antiviral therapies reduce maternal viremia around the time of delivery and decrease maternal-to-child-transmission. This chapter is a review of current studies that, ultimately, have provided strong evidence for the efficacy and safety of 3 antiviral drugs in pregnancy-lamivudine, telbivudine and tenofovir. The latter drug is the particular focus of this chapter which will show that tenofovir is the preferred antiviral therapy in pregnant women because of its potency, safety profile, and low risk of resistance.