title: [Decision tree and cost-benefit analysis on strategies related to preventing maternal-infantile transmission of hepatitis B virus infection].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To synthesize relevant data and to analyze the benefit-cost ratio on strategies related to preventing the maternal-infantile transmission of hepatitis B virus infection and to explore the optimal strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A decision tree model was constructed according to the strategies of hepatitis B immunization and a Markov model was conducted to simulate the complex disease progress after HBV infection. Parameters in the models were drawn from meta-analysis and information was collected from field study and review of literature. Economic evaluation was performed to calculate costs, benefit, and the benefit-cost ratio. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted and a tornado graph was drawn.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In view of the current six possible strategies in preventing maternal-infantile transmission of hepatitis B virus infection, a multi-stage decision tree model was constructed to screen hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or screen for HBsAg then hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Dose and the number of injections of HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine were taken into consideration in the model. All the strategies were considered to be cost-saving, while the strategy of screening for HBsAg and then offering hepatitis B vaccine of 10 µg×3 for all neonates with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) of 100 IU×1 for the neonates born to mothers who tested positive for HBsAg appeared with most cost-saving. In the strategies, the benefit-cost ratio of using 100 IU HBIG was similar to 200 IU HBIG, and one shot of HBIG was superior to two shots.
  
  
  RESULTS
  from sensitivity analysis suggested that the rates of immunization and the efficacy of the strategy in preventing maternal-infantile transmission were the main sensitive variables in the model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The passive-active immune-prophylaxis strategy that using 10 µg hepatitis B vaccine combined with 100 IU HBIG seemed to be the optimal strategy in preventing maternal-infantile transmission, while the rates of immunization and the efficacy of the strategy played the key roles in choosing the ideal strategy.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, China.
authors.forename: Guo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Shun-xiang
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines