Growth and development of children prenatally exposed to telbivudine administered for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in their mothers

•Growth and development of infants prenatally exposed to telbivudine were evaluated.•Abnormalities were found in 3 of 54 infants (5.56%), similar to those of controls.•No growth retardation was observed in any cases during the infancy period.•The developmental quotients of the majority of children were normal.•Hepatitis B virus vertical transmission was successfully blocked in all infants.

SummaryObjectivesWe studied the growth and development of children prenatally exposed to telbivudine used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in their mothers.MethodsMaternal abnormalities during pregnancy and delivery and infant congenital anomalies, physical development status, developmental quotient (DQ), HBV vertical transmission status, and HBV vaccination outcomes of 54 infants were evaluated (2010–2013).ResultsNo fetal abnormalities were observed during pregnancy or delivery. Postpartum, three infants (5.56%) had abnormalities: ankyloglossia, cutaneous hemangioma, and vaginal canal leak. Height and weight were within the normal range at birth and at 6 weeks, but were higher than the reference at 12 months (p < 0.05). Body mass index increased gradually with age (p < 0.05). DQ scores were normal (84.81%, 229/270) in 37 children (68.52%), abnormal or suspicious for a developmental delay (15.19%, 41/270) in 17 children (31.48%), and indicated a developmental delay (4.07%, 11/270) in seven children (12.96%). There were no significant differences in developmental delay between children prenatally exposed to telbivudine and controls (p > 0.05). HBV vertical transmission was successfully blocked in all infants. The effective HBV vaccination rate was 98.15% (53/54).ConclusionsThe growth and development of children prenatally exposed to telbivudine was normal, indicating that telbivudine treatment during pregnancy is safe and effective.