title: Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccine as primary and booster vaccination in low-birth-weight premature infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess suitability of a combined DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccine (Infanrix hexa) for immunization of low-birth-weight (<2.0 kg) preterm infants, with particular focus on the hepatitis B response.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label study in 170 preterm infants receiving primary vaccination at 2, 4 and 6 months of age and booster vaccination at 18-24 months. Enrollment and analysis were stratified in two groups: infants with birth weight between 1.5 kg and 2.0 kg (low birth weight: LBW), infants with BW <1.5 kg (very low birth weight: VLBW).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One month after the three dose primary vaccination, 93.7% and 94.9% of infants in VLBW and LBW groups, respectively, had anti-HBs antibody concentrations > or = 10 mIU/mL. High seroprotection and response rates (92.4-100%) to all vaccine antigens were observed. Those were reinforced (>98%) by booster vaccination for all antigens except for HBs in VLBW children: only 88.7% of those had anti-HBs antibody concentrations > or = 10 mIU/mL, compared with 96.5% of LBW children (difference statistically not significant). The vaccine was well tolerated in both groups of infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm infants will benefit by the administration of a primary and booster vaccination with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Fundación Centro de Estudios Infectológicos, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rüttimann
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coconier
authors.forename: Jeanne-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jacquet
authors.forename: Lode
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schuerman
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; C122182:diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-Hib-hepatitis B vaccine