Hepatitis B (HB) immunoglobulin plus HB vaccine for intrauterine HB virus infection. Issue 3 (22nd January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iwasawa, Kentaro; Inui, Ayano; Tsunoda, Tomoyuki; Kondo, Takeo; Kawamoto, Manari; Sogo, Tsuyoshi; Komatsu, Haruki; Fujisawa, Tomoo
• Is Part Of: Pediatrics international. Volume 57:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 401
• Page End: 405
• Publication Date: 2015-01-22
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/ped.12528
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1328-8067

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ped12528-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive mothers using HB immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B (HB) vaccine was launched in Japan in 1985. Infants testing positive for HBsAg at 1 month of age are considered to have prenatally acquired the infection and are usually excluded from the prevention program. Infants born to HB e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive mothers are at a high risk of perinatally acquiring the infection. In this study, long‐term outcome was evaluated in children with prenatal HBV infection who received the HBIG and HB vaccine in Japan.</p> </sec> <sec id="ped12528-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Newborns of both HBsAg‐ and HBeAg‐positive carrier mothers received HBIG within 48 h of birth and at 2 months of age. Subsequently, three doses of recombinant HB vaccine were given at 2, 3, and 5 months of age. Outcome was compared between the following two groups: infants who completed the vaccination program, even if they were HBsAg positive at 1 month of age (<italic>n</italic> = 15), and infants who did not (<italic>n</italic> = 51).</p> </sec> <sec id="ped12528-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Seroconversion from HBeAg to anti‐HBe antibody (HBeAb) before 3 years of age was observed in five children (33%) who completed the vaccination program and in two (4%) who did not (<italic>P</italic> = 0.005). In 2/5 children who completed the vaccination program and achieved HBeAb seroconversion, seroconversion from HBsAg to anti‐HBs antibody was also noted.</p> </sec> <sec id="ped12528-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This specific vaccination program for children with prenatal HBV infection has the potential to alter immune tolerance to HBV.</p> </sec> </abstract>