Hepatitis B latest proportion of children who test positive

Last updated on Thursday, 20 November 2025 at 03:19pm

Summary

• Topic: Hepatitis-B
• Category: headline
• API name: hepatitis-b_headline_motherToChildTransmissionRate

Rationale

This metric shows the proportion of eligible infants testing positive for surface antigen (HBsAg). in England. This metric helps to monitor the effectiveness of measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.

Methodology

Children born to hepatitis B positive mothers are tested at 12 months of age. The number testing positive is divided by the total number of infants tested.

Caveats

Results may be affected by incomplete testing or follow up. Small numbers can lead to differences between years.