Abstract

Background: In order for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma not to be inflicted upon in infants' lifetime, it is essential to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in them. Objectives: The aim of this study is to reveal the efficacy of passive and active immunoprophylaxis in preventing perinatal transmission of HBV in Iran. Study design: In this cohort study with historical controls, 823 children born to the HBsAg positive mothers were evaluated. Out of this number, 638 had received neither hepatitis B (HB) vaccine nor hepatitis B immune globulin ( HBIG) and aged more than 16 years (n = 481, group 1) or 16 years or less ( n = 157, group 2). The other 125 persons had received only HB vaccine ( group 3), and 60 neonates received both HB vaccine and HBIG ( group 4). Results: The prevalence of HBsAg in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 56.1, 40.3, 12.6, and 3.6, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HBsAb had a significantly descending rate in groups 4 ( 85.7), 3 (68.8), 2 (33.3), and 1 (21.8), respectively. Conclusions: The addition of HBIG to recombinant vaccine will significantly increase the protection against HBV infection in comparison with HB vaccine alone. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.