Prevention of hepatitis B infection in infants born to hepatitis B carrier mothers: low dosage vaccination

Abstract

Two groups of newborn infants born to HBeAg positive carrier mothers were given HBIG (200 IU) immediately after birth. Subsequently, at age 2 days and at 1, 2 and 12 months, the first group received 5 μg and the second group 2 μg of HBV vaccines. There was no significant difference in the anti‐HBs seroconversion rate (SR), and the protective efficacy rate (PER) at the age of 13 months in either group. The SR and PER of group I were 91.7% and 90.18%, and group II were 92.9% and 91.01%, respectively. Although the significant differences were observed in the geometric mean titers of anti‐HBs in group I (526.3 mIU/ml) and group II (371.4 mIU/ml), both were above the protective level. The immune responses to the reduced dosage of HBV vaccines are satisfactory in preventing HBV in the newborn infants of HBeAg positive carrier mothers.