[Prevention of hepatitis B transmission during the delivery in Picardy (2006)]

No French publication is available to assess the prevention of the hepatitis B transmission during delivery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the traceability and the compliance with the guidelines for administration of hepatitis B immune globulin (Ig) in public and private maternities of Picardy.

We obtained the files of the mothers who were likely to be HBsAg + by a query in the medico-administrative data base (PMSI). Newborns who received hepatitis B Ig were obtained by the pharmacies and the obstetrical wards's registers and a PMSI query.

Nineteen of 20 maternities participated to the study. One hundred and forty five files were identified (65 mothers HBsAg +, 75 HBsAg -, 5 unknown) and 81 hepatitis B Ig injections were rated in the file and 5 unrated. Twenty percent of the rated Ig injections (16/81) were not pertinent (new born from HbsAg - mothers). Dose complied with the guidelines (100 UI) in 85 % of cases and the schedule (within the 12 first hours after delivery) in 79 %. The traceability was present in 69 % of the files. As a whole, only 40 % (32/81) of Ig injections follow the guidelines indications (indication, recommended dose and time, traceability). A letter (for general practitioner, pediatrician or hepatologist) for follow up of the baby or/and the mother was found in 40 files out of 145.

The prevention of the hepatitis B transmission during the delivery must be improved through a national strategy with a multi-professional mobilisation plus a local implementation.