title: Hepatitis B vaccination in children with cancer.
abstract: Between September 1991 and April 1993 the hepatitis B vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine was administered in 41 cancer patients following first diagnosis. All patients were under 16 year of age, with negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology and normal hepatic function. They received 40 micrograms of vaccine by injection into the deltoid muscle at 0, 1, and 2, months, with a fourth dose planned at the 4th month for nonresponders. At 1 year a booster dose was given. All the patients began vaccination within 1 month following diagnosis, and periodic serologic follow-up was performed immediately after each vaccination and also in the 6th, 9th, and 12th months after vaccination. Patients with production of anti-HBs at a titer equal to or greater than 10 mIU/L were considered seropositive. The seroconversion rates were 12.4%, 21.9%, 41.0%, and 48.7% after the first, second, third, and fourth monthly doses, respectively. Seroconversion rates were 56.0% at 6 months, 67.5% at 9 months, and 70.5% at 12 months. Geometric mean antibody titers were 212 and 373 mI U/L at 9 and 12 months, respectively. No serious side effects were observed. HBV vaccination is recommended for pediatric cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berberoğlu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Büyükpamukcu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sarialioglu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akyüz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ilhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic