Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state in neonates. Prophylaxis with large doses of conventional immune human serum globulin.
Acute type B viral hepatitis developed near the term of pregnancy in seven women. All had signs of acute hepatitis at delivery, and hepatitis B surface antigenemia persisted two to four weeks after delivery. Two milliliters of conventional immune human serum globulin was administered to the neonates within a week of birth, after preexisting type B viral hepatitis infection was excluded. The antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) content of two of the administered batches of immune human serum globulin was 1:32 and 1:64. None of the babies became hepatitis B surface antigen carriers, and anti-HBs developed without obvious clinical hepatitis in one baby. Conventional immune human serum globulin in larger doses may be a relatively safe and effective prophylaxis against the development of hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state even if the anti-HBs content in the administered dose is relatively small.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins