HBeAg(+) and sex ratio of offspring: Evidence form Taiwan's three million newborns
Journal
American Journal of Human Biology
Journal Volume
24
Journal Issue
4
Pages
541-544
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: Mothers sero-positive for hepatitis B are slightly more likely to have a son. It is not known whether it is ever having HBV (HBsAg[+]) or currently active HBV (HBeAg[+]) which is associated with having a son. Method: Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the adjusted association of HBeAg(+) with offspring sex in all (90%) births (?3 million) in Taiwan from 1988 to 1999. Results: Totally, 5% of mothers were HBeAg(+). HBeAg(+) mothers were slightly more likely to have a son (sex ratio 108 rather than 106) adjusted for HBsAg, birth order, mother's age, birth year, and area of residence. Conclusion: At a population level HBV status makes little difference to the sex ratio at birth. ? 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Hepatitis B virus
Publisher
Wiley-Liss Inc.
Type
journal article