Immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in preterm and term infants, given in a sequence of three doses beginning soon after birth.


METHODS
The immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine was assessed in 176 preterm infants (< 35 weeks of gestation), immunised soon after birth, and compared with that in 46 term infants. Titres of hepatitis B antibodies were determined one to two months after the third vaccine. The significance of the differences between the term and preterm groups was determined using Student's t test.


RESULTS
A similar proportion of infants in both preterm and term groups attained protective titres of hepatitis B antibodies (88.7% vs 93.4%, respectively; p = NS). However, the term infants had a higher geometric mean titre of antibodies after the third vaccine than did the preterm infants (701.2 (745.0) vs 469.1 (486.2) mU/ml, respectively; p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis B vaccine is effective in most preterm infants when given soon after birth. It may be advisable to determine the immune response at 12-24 months of age to booster the non-responders.
Blondheim
O
O
Department of Neonatology, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. blond@nltvision.net.il
Bader
D
D
Abend
M
M
Peniakov
M
M
Reich
D
D
Potesman
I
I
Handsher
R
R
Gidoni
I
I
Linder
N
N
D000917:Antibody Formation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
C075654:Engerix-B; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic