[HBsAG-positive mothers and neonatal immunization: experience at the USL No. 1 in Trapani].

A vaccination campaign against HBV was undertaken by the Division of Neonatal Pathology at the Hospital of Trapani from 1984 to 1989 with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality rates due to HBV. 6,849 women were studied in order of HBV diagnosis. Seventy-four of these (1.08%) were HBsAg positive, and 4/74 were HBeAg positive. Seventy-two high-risk newborns underwent passive immunoprophylaxis and a vaccination cycle. Antibody titres demonstrated the effectiveness of therapy in 95.1% of subjects.