Long-term protection of infants against hepatitis B by neonatal immunoprophylaxis born from mothers infected with hepatitis B virus / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy of neonatal immunoprophylaxis in children born from mothers infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV),and to clarify whether a booster vaccination is required.Methods Totally 252 children of HBV infected mothers,who were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tested in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in 2012,were enrolled to participate in this study from July to September,2017.Revaccination of hepatitis B vaccine was recorded and other relevant informations were collected.HBV serologic markers were detected in each child.Results Totally 198 children (78.6％) were followed up.They were (8.4 ± 2.2) years old and 112 cases were boys.All 198 children were negative for both HBsAg and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc).The overall positive rate of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) (≥ 10 IU/L) was 65.7％.During period of 2012 to 2017,53 children were boosted with hepatitis B vaccine.Their median anti-HBs titer in 2017 was higher than that in 2012 (327.95 IU/L vs.158.01 IU/L),and the difference was significant (Z =-4.480,P ＜0.05).The other 145 children were not revaccinated,their median anti-HBs titer was decreased from 214.19 IU/L in 2012 to 70.49 IU/L in 2017,and the difference was significant (Z =-6.575,P ＜ 0.05).Of 145 children who were not revaccinated,25 cases had anti-HBs levels ＜ 10 IU/L and 120 cases ≥ 10 IU/L in 2012,and the other 47 cases also showed the antibody ＜ 10 IU/L in 2017,but none of them was infected with HBV.Conclusions Neonatal immunoprophylaxis in infants from HBV-infected can provide long-term protection against hepatitis B.The children with anti-HBs ＜ 10 IU/L are still immune to HBV and booster vaccination for them seems unnecessary.