HEPATITIS B IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HBIG) EFFICACY IN THE INTERRUPTION OF PERINATAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS CARRIER STATE. Initial Report of a Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled efficacy trial of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) for prevention of the vertically transmitted HBsAg carrier state was conducted in Taiwan where the carrier rate in the general population is 15-20%. HBIG was given immediately after birth to infants of e antigen positive HBsAg carrier mothers and all infants were followed for 15 months or more. Among 35 placebo-treated infants the carrier rate was 91%. This compares with the carrier rate of only 23% among 40 infants who received 0·5 ml HBIG at birth, three months, and six months and the 45% carrier rate among 42 infants receiving a single 10 ml dose of HBIG at birth only. Efficacy was 75% and 45% respectively for the two treatment schedules. Significantly, the most common response of HBIG-treated infants was passive-active immunisation. © 1981.