Immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in healthy very low birth weight infants.
We studied the immunogenic response to hepatitis B vaccine of infants weighing < or = 1500 gm at birth. Infants were divided into two groups: those weighing < or = 1000 gm (n = 22) and those weighing 1001 to 1501 gm (n = 28). When immunized early (3 days of age, n = 25), these infants had a response rate (defined as antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen titer > 10 mIU/ml) of 68%, whereas when the first vaccine was given at 1 month of age (n = 25), a 96% response rate was noted, irrespective of birth weight and weight at the time of immunization (p < 0.02).
Patel
D M
DM
Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA.
Butler
J
J
Feldman
S
S
Graves
G R
GR
Rhodes
P G
PG
D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D011446:Prospective Studies
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines