Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) efficacy in the prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Twelve out of 13 infants born from mothers having both HBsAg and HBeAg developed HBV carrier state within 4 months after birth. On the other hand, no babies from mothers having HBsAg and anti-HBe developed HBV carrier state. In order to prevent perinatal transmission of HBV, HBIG was administered into 14 babies born from mothers with positive HBeAg three or four times during 6 months after birth. During 12 months or more of observation period 5 out of 14 infants who received HBIG acquired active anti-HBs response after discontinuation of HBIG (passive-active immunization). However, 3 out of 14 infants unfortunately developed persistently positive HBsAg antigenemia at 12th, 14th and 14th month respectively after birth. Remaining 6 babies still have no virus markers, indicating not infected. These results indicates that HBIG administration was extremely effective for prevention of perinatal transmission of HBV. However, additional preventive measures with active immunization (HBV vaccine) seems to be necessary to prevent completely the perinatal transmission of HBV.