Abstract: Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted either horizontally or vertically among human beings
and the latter is the major rout for HBV infection. Perinatal infection takes a great part in vertical transmission,
which consists of transplacental transmission and transmission through germinal cells. Clinically, people use
HBIG（hepatitis B immune globulin) and recombinant hepatitis B（rHB）vaccine in the prevention of vertical
transmission if the expectant mother is positive of hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg）in serum, but the
infection can not be prevented thoroughly. HBV DNA can either integrate or dissociate in sperm and oocyte
chromosomes and infect the offsprings. The hepatitis B virus DNA load, virus variant and genic susceptibility
to virus infection are now considered to be the risk factors for HBV vertical transmission. This review focuses
on the mechanism and susceptibility of hepatitis B virus vertical transmission.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, Disease transmission, vertical, Germ cells, Risk factors