Hepatitis B immunization in postpartum women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the acceptance and efficacy of hepatitis B immunization in women during the postpartum period.


METHODS
A group of 157 consecutive women who were delivered of neonates between 1994 and 1999 under the care of a private, full-time faculty-based practice of obstetrics and gynecology participated in the study. All patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody during their pregnancy. Susceptible patients eligible for hepatitis B immunization were offered the vaccine in the immediate postpartum period. The planned vaccine administration was a series of 3 intramuscular injections, with the second injection given 4 weeks later and the third given 6 months after the initial injection. Rescreening for hepatitis B surface antibody titers was performed at a visit after the last injection. Response to the immunization series was evaluated according to rate of acceptance, compliance, and achievement of seroprotection.


RESULTS
Thirteen (8%) patients had been immunized previously and had antibodies, whereas 8 (5%) patients had serologic evidence of a previous infection. Of the 136 patients eligible for the study, 113 (83%) agreed to participate, 16 (12%) declined, and 7 (5%) moved away from New York right after delivery. Of the 113 participants, 104 (92%) patients received at least 2 vaccine injections, with 80 (71%) completing 3 injections. Among patients who had postvaccinal antibody titers, 66 of 69 (96%) of the group that received 3 injections and 9 (75%) of 12 of the group that received 2 injections were found to have antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis B immunization in the postpartum period is feasible and effective.
Jurema
M W
MW
New York and Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, 10021, USA.
Polaneczky
M
M
Ledger
W J
WJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012307:Risk Factors
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines