title: Preventing neonatal hepatitis B infection during the perinatal period.
abstract: In the United States, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a growing problem with serious long-term consequences. Because previous vaccination programs have been ineffective in lowering the incidence of HBV, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control now recommend a comprehensive plan to reduce transmission of the virus. This article explores the epidemiology of HBV infection, the use of hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccines, and current recommendations for eliminating transmission of HBV during the perinatal period.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City 66160-7502.
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pruss
mesh_terms: D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin