Screening of pregnant women and hepatitis B prophylaxis in newborns.

Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B includes: (1) screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen, and (2) immunoprophylaxis of babies at risk. HBIG treatment seems to be of some efficacy in preventing the HBsAg carrier state while it permits passive active immunization to occur. The disadvantage of HBIG is that it confers only temporary immunity. Therefore, if infection does not occur, babies will still be susceptible to the virus when passively administered anti-HBs will no longer be circulating. On the other hand, vaccine provides a long term but not immediate protection. Therefore the ideal approach in post-exposure prophylaxis is a combination of passive plus active immunization. The aim is to provide an immediate protection, with the HBIG, and a long term immunity, with the vaccine, to babies born to HBsAg carrier mothers.