Efficacy of hepatitis B immune globulin in prevention of perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus.
An efficacy trial of hepatitis B immune globulin in the prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus infection was conducted in Los Angeles. Ten infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive carrier mothers as well as 4 infants born to mothers with acute hepatitis B in the third trimester of pregnancy received hepatitis B immune globulin without randomization. Twenty infants born to HBsAg- and antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe)-positive carrier mothers were randomized to receive hepatitis B immune globulin or a placebo. All infants were followed for up to 18 mo. Four infants (2 born to HBeAg carrier mothers, 1 to an anti-HBe carrier, and 1 to a mother with acute hepatitis) became HBsAg-positive carriers, whereas another infant, whose mother was an HBeAg carrier, developed a transient anicteric hepatitis B infection. All infants who became infected did so after 9 mo of age as hepatitis B immune globulin protection waned. In infants born to HBsAg-positive carrier mothers, active immunoprophylaxis with the hepatitis B vaccine must be used in conjunction with hepatitis B immune globulin.
D000208:Acute Disease; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000151:congenital / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins