All issues > Volume 30(11); 1987

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1987;30(11):1228-1235. Published online November 30, 1987.

The Effect of Hepatitis B Vaccination on Newborns of Hepatitis B Carrier Mothers.

Ho Taek Kom¹, Pyung Kil Kim¹, Chang Ho Hong¹, Chul Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

The transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from carrier mothers to their infants is a serious problem in many countries and the transmission rate is reported to be as high as 60%. The best preventive method of perinatal transmission is hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) which confers a passive immunity and HB vaccine which confers an active immunity. However, the exact dosage and the most effective method has not yet been determined. From Jan. 1984 to Dec. 1985, 79 newborns were delivered of hepatitis B carrier mothers at Youngdong Severance Hospital. They were vaccinated with 0.5 ml (100 unit) of HBIG soon after birth, and were divided into two groups. Infants delivered from Jan. 1984 until Oct. 1984 were vaccinated with 0.5 ml of HB vaccine (HBs Ag: 10 microgram) at 3 months of age, and given second and third HB vaccination at 4 months and 9 months respectively. From Nov. 1984 until Dec. 1985, babies were vaccinated with HB vaccine at birth and given the second and third doses at 1 month and 6 months respectively. The first group of subjects was designated group A (N = ll) and the second,group B (N=23). The results are as follows: 1) The incidence of hepatitis B carrier mothers was 4.7% as tested by RPHA method. 2) Clinical data, such as the Apgar score at birtli, gestational age, birth weight, height, head and chest circumferences showed no statistical differences between HBs Ag postive and negative babies at birth, and there were no major anomalies. 3) The positivity of the carrier mother’s HBe Ag and anti HBe did not influence the production of anti HBs in the infants until after the vaccination regimen was finished. 4) Upon completion of the vaccination regimen, the rates of anti HBs formation were 90.0% and 95.7 % in group A and group B according to the positive rate, and 81.8 % and 87.1 % according to the effective rate, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups. We conclude that the schedule utilized with grou; B is more economical and can be concluded at a younger age thus conferring immunity to HBV infection. We also conclude that a screening test for HBV must be performed on pregnant women and that the infants of HB carrier mothers must be immunized soon after birth.

Keywords :Hepatitis B vaccine; Neonatal hepatitis; Vertical transmission of HBV