Immunoprophylaxis of Infection with Hepatitis B Virus in Infants Born to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Positive Carrier Mothers

Infants born to carrier mothers positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)received 5 µg of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine on four occasions. Group 1 received vaccine only, group 2 received vaccine plus hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)at birth, and group 3 received vaccine plus HBIG at birth and at one month. Infants born to HBeAg-positive mothers (group 4) received a reduced dose of vaccine (2.5 µg) on three occasions as well as HBIG at birth. As compared with 78.4% of the control group (infants whose parents refused vaccination) who became chronic HBV carriers at the age of 14 months, the protective efficacy rate of vaccination was 75.3% in group 1, 85.5% in group 2, 89.7% in group 3, and 87.2% in group 4. HBV vaccine (5 µg) was also given to infants born to HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-negative mothers on four occasions. The antibody response to HBsAg in vaccine recipients was 12% after the first dose, 44% after the second dose, and 75% and 100% at six months and 1.5 years of age, respectively.