A retrospective study of administration of vaccination for hepatitis B among newborn infants prior to hospital discharge at a midwestern tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVES

Infants are at high risk of developing chronic, life-threatening disease as a result of hepatitis B virus infection. Universal vaccination of infants against hepatitis B virus, before discharge from the hospital after delivery is recommended as a measure to eradicate infection and associated mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine rates of perinatal hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B) administration at a tertiary care center in Iowa and to assess the impact of maternal factors on Hep B uptake.

METHODS

Data concerning mother-infant pairs that received care at one institution from 1/2009 to 4/1/2013 were extracted from the system's electronic medical record. Characteristics of study participants were compared using chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between each factor and vaccination status, controlling for other characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 5663 mother-infant pairs, 5175 (91.4%) infants received Hep B within 7 days after delivery. The majority of those not vaccinated had a medical indication to delay vaccination. Single women were significantly more likely to have an infant not vaccinated, after adjustment for all other factors. Women of minority groups were significantly less likely to have an infant who lacked Hep B at hospital discharge than Caucasian women.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvements have occurred in Hep B rates in the state and region. Infants of single mothers may be at the greatest risk for lacking vaccination at hospital discharge.