[Increased risk of hepatitis B due to incomplete or untimely immunisation in one-quarter of infants of hepatitis-B-virus carriers].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of an increased risk of infection in children of hepatitis-B-virus carriers due to incomplete or untimely hepatitis-B immunisation.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
Dates of birth and hepatitis-B immunisations were collected for all documented children of hepatitis-B-virus carriers in the vaccination registers, born in 2000 in The Netherlands. To assess the possible increased risk of infection, criteria were drawn up for the completeness and timeliness of the immunisations and on the basis of these the number of children who possibly had an increased risk of infection was determined.


RESULTS
In total, 731 of the 769 children (95%) had received hepatitis-B immunoglobulins and at least 3 vaccinations. For 200 children (26%) the deviation from the immunisation schedule was so great that the child was possibly (temporarily) inadequately protected.


CONCLUSIONS
A quarter of the children of hepatitis-B-virus carriers were immunised incompletely or at the wrong time. This calls for an adjustment of the immunisation schedule and national guidelines in which the responsibilities and tasks are clearly defined.
van der Ploeg
C P B
CP
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid/Jeugd, Postbus 2215, 2301 CE Leiden. cpb.vanderploeg@pg.tno.nl
Kateman
H
H
Vermeer-de Bondt
P E
PE
Verkerk
P H
PH
D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D012307:Risk Factors
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines