Prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B to babies at high risk: an evaluation.
We aimed to determine factors associated with successful vaccination coverage and development of infection in high-risk infants born to hepatitis B infected women. Immunisation of 860/932 (92%) of babies was started within 48 h of birth and three doses of vaccination completed for 794/921 (86%). Only 543 (58%) infants were tested and 26 (4.9%) were found to have evidence of current infection. Delayed start of immunisation was significantly associated with unbooked pregnancy, maternal hepatitis B e-markers and year. Current infection in the baby was strongly associated with maternal hepatitis B e-status, ethnicity and year of vaccination. The proportion of infants developing infection declined after 1998, coinciding with the publication of national recommendations and the wider use of the accelerated schedule.
Sloan
David
D
Immunisation Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
Ramsay
Mary
M
Prasad
Leonie
L
Gelb
David
D
Teo
Chong Gee
CG
D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines