title: Effect of needle length for response to hepatitis B vaccine in macrosomic neonates: a prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine whether use of a longer (1 in.) rather than a standard (5/8 in.) needle used for macrosomic neonates (birthweight over 4000 g) may affect antibody titers after immunization against hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty nine healthy infants were vaccinated at birth, 1, and 6 months of age with hepatitis B vaccine, with follow up to 7 months of age. Infants were randomized into two groups according to needle length of first vaccine at birth. First group vaccinated with standart needle length and other group received vaccine by longer needle length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macrosomic infants who were immunized with a longer needle achieved significantly higher antibody titers to hepatitis B surface antigen than standart needle length (median, 3890.2 vs 1311.7 mIU/mL, respectively; p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Macrosomic neonates benefit from longer needle length with higher levels of antibody titers after HBV vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ramazanoz@yahoo.com.tr
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Fuat Emre
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Canpolat
authors.forename: Sadik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yurttutan
authors.forename: Mehmet Yekta
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Oncel
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erdeve
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dilmen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines