Our experience in viral hepatitis (VH) immunoglobulin prophylaxis

Two experiments on 72 888 children, out of which 36 270 received standard immunoglobulins (IG) and another 36 618 represented the control group, were carried out. IG was administered preventatively, during autumn before the occurrence of the annual peak, and in focus after contact with VH patients. Prophylactic IG administration led to a 4-14 fold decrease in the incidence of icteric VH as compared with controls, and to the disappearance of the peak characteristic of autumn-winter. The efficacy lasted for 5-6 months. The incidence of subclinical VH forms--as evaluated by clinical examinations and SGPT was about 3 times lower in IG pre-exposure recipients. In the group of children where IG was administered only to the contacts in epidemiological foci, the incidence of icteric VH remained as high in the controls and the incidence of subclinical VH forms was twice as high in the controls.