Weight-based policy of hepatitis b vaccination in very low birth weight infants in Taiwan: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Journal
PLoS ONE
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
3
Pages
e92271
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: The current recommendation of giving the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants at 30 days of chronologic age usually is not practical, because most VLBW infants are not medically stable at that age. We use an alternative body-weight-based protocol, and evaluate its efficacy in an endemic area under a universal immunization program. Methods: The immunogenicity of the current hepatitis B vaccination strategy in 155 VLBW preterm infants was evaluated at age 2 to 13 years, with parental consent. All of the infants were born between 1995 and 2006, and received their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine when they reached 2,000-2,200 g, irrespective of chronological age. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) was given at birth to infants born to HBsAg(+)/HBeAg(+) mothers. Results: All 155 of the recruited children were HBsAg and anti-HBc negative. The anti-HBs seropositivity rate (geometric mean titer) was 84.1% (146.5 mIU/mL) for children under 3 years, 73.5% (68.8 mIU/mL) for 4- to 7-year-olds, 27.7% (55.4 mIU/mL) for 8- to 11-year-olds and 20% (6.0 mIU/mL) for children ?12 years of age. More than 90% of these children received the first vaccination after 30 days of age, half (51%) at 60 to 90 days, and 29 children (18.6%) after 90 days of age. Of the 26 infants born to HBsAg(+) mothers, 6/6 infants of HBeAg(+) mothers received HBIG at birth, and 12/20 infants of HBeAg(2) mothers received HBIG. None of the 26 infants became infected. Conclusions: Delaying hepatitis B vaccinations in VLBW preterm infants until they reach a weight of 2,000 g, with the administration of HBIG at birth for infants of HBsAg(+) mothers provided adequate immunogenicity and protection in a highly endemic area. Weight-based policy of hepatitis B vaccination is an effective and practical alternative strategy for VLBW infants. Copyright: ? 2014 Chen et al.
SDGs
Other Subjects
h b vax ii; hepatitis B antibody; hepatitis B core antibody; hepatitis B surface antibody; hepatitis B surface antigen; hepatitis B vaccine; hepatitis B(e) antigen; recombinant hepatitis B vaccine; unclassified drug; age distribution; article; body weight; child; cross-sectional study; female; health care policy; hepatitis B; human; immunogenicity; major clinical study; male; prematurity; retrospective study; Taiwan; vaccination; very low birth weight; Adolescent; Body Weight; Carrier State; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Policy; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Male; Mothers; Retrospective Studies; Taiwan; Vaccination
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Type
journal article