Effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis for preterm infants of mothers having chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis for preterm infants delivered by hepatitis B virus(HBV)-infected mothers remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis in preterm infants.

METHODS

Infants delivered by HBV-infected mothers between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 were enrolled, Preterm infants received hepatitis B vaccine immediately after birth and at one, two and seven months while full-term infants received vaccine immediately after birth and at one and six months. All infants were followed utill 24 months. Effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis in preterm infants was analyzed by comparing the dynamics of HBV markers and responsible factors were investigated using multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

During the study period (2016-2018), 2238 infants were enrolled, including 175 preterm infants and 2063 full-term infants. The differences in the HBsAb concentration between groups were not statistically significant at 7-12 and 24 months of age (P > 0.05), but the concentration in the preterm group were lower relative to the full-term group. Apgar score at 1 min was a predictor of medium-to-high response of HBsAb at 7-12 month (OR 2.687, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

HBsAb concentration in preterm infants delivered by HBV-infected mothers who were vaccinated following the "0-1-2-7″ protocol were similar to those in full-term infants, thereby indicating good outcomes. One-minute Apgar score could be used to predict HBsAb levels in preterm infants at 7-12 months of age after completion of the immunoprophylaxis.