Passive-active immunoprophylaxis in newborns to HBsAg carrier mothers liguria--I.

Thirty neonates to HBsAg carrier mothers, two of whom were HBeAg positive, received passive-active immunoprophylaxis. Within 48 hours after birth and at the first month of life these newborns were given HBIG (0.5 ml/Kg) and at the third month of life they were given first vaccination (10 micrograms). "HB-Vax" (M.S.D.) has been employed and its schedule has been performed (2 degrees and 3 degrees injections respectively at 4th and 9th month of life). Blood specimens have been collected in infants at birth and at each HBIG and vaccine administration, two months after the 2nd vaccination, one and six months after the third one. All specimens have been tested for HBV markers: HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HBe and anti-HBc IgM. The anti-HBs titration has been performed according to WHO International Reference anti-HBs Standard. ALT and AST levels were determined in all infants specimens. The newborns did not show clinical signs or lab tests expressing HBV infection during the follow-up period. The anti-HBs geometric mean titres have been the following: 125 mIU/ml at 1 month, 176.4 mIU/ml at 3 months, 64.4 mIU/ml at 4 months, 119 mIU/ml at 6 months, 321 mIU/ml at 9 months, 2580.8 mIU/ml at 10 months and 715.3 mIU/ml at 15 months of life. Finally, side effects were observed for no infants.