title: Antibody levels in children after 10 years of vaccination against hepatitis B: a Brazilian community-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is known that the hepatitis B (HB) vaccine is effective, but it is alarming that sudden drops of antibody levels may coincide with the onset of adolescence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibody levels against HB vaccine surface antigen (anti-HBs) and HB vaccine core antigen (anti-HBc) were measured on the blood samples of children with a mean age of 11.4 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 54.8% had protective levels of anti-HBs. Of those who were anti-HBc-positive (4.4%), an average of 218.4 anti-HBs mIU/mL was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunological protection was found in the majority of children. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the heritability of nonresponders and establish strategies against such events.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC.
authors.forename: Glauco Danielle
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Fagundes
authors.forename: Fábio de Oliveira
authors.initials: Fde O
authors.lastname: Tabalipa
authors.forename: Jane da
authors.initials: Jd
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines