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Updated: May 23, 2026
Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice
Published on: November 11, 2014
Effect of needle length for response to hepatitis B vaccine in macrosomic neonates: a prospective randomized study
Ramazan Ozdemir1, Fuat Emre Canpolat, Sadik Yurttutan
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ramazanoz@yahoo.com.tr
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to determine whether use of a longer (1 in.) rather than a standard (5/8 in.) needle used for macrosomic neonates (birthweight over 4000 g) may affect antibody titers after immunization against hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Methods:
Fifty nine healthy infants were vaccinated at birth, 1, and 6 months of age with hepatitis B vaccine, with follow up to 7 months of age. Infants were randomized into two groups according to needle length of first vaccine at birth. First group vaccinated with standart needle length and other group received vaccine by longer needle length.
Results:
Macrosomic infants who were immunized with a longer needle achieved significantly higher antibody titers to hepatitis B surface antigen than standart needle length (median, 3890.2 vs 1311.7 mIU/mL, respectively; p=0.001).
Conclusions:
Macrosomic neonates benefit from longer needle length with higher levels of antibody titers after HBV vaccination.
