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Ten-year follow-up study of neonatal hepatitis B immunization: are booster injections indicated?
M Resti1, C Azzari, F Mannelli
1Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Meyer, University of Florence, Italy.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis in infants born to infected mothers showed no added benefit from a fifth-year booster dose. Immunological memory at ten years remained similar between boosted and unboosted children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant risk to infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers.
- Passive-active prophylaxis is a standard intervention to prevent perinatal HBV transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy of hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis in children.
- To determine if a booster dose at five years of age enhances protection or immunological memory against HBV.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 114 children born to HBsAg-positive mothers received prophylaxis in their first year.
- One group received a booster dose at age five, while the other did not.
- Children were followed up for 10 years, with immunological memory assessed at the study's end.
Main Results:
- A booster dose of HBV prophylaxis administered at five years of age did not appear to increase protection against HBV infection.
- No significant difference in immunological memory was observed at ten years between children who received the booster dose and those who did not.
Conclusions:
- Routine booster doses of HBV prophylaxis at five years may not be necessary for children born to HBsAg-positive mothers who received initial prophylaxis.
- Long-term follow-up indicates sustained protection without an additional booster, suggesting robust initial immunization response.
Abstract:
One hundred and fourteen children, born to HBsAg-positive mothers received in the first year of life passive active prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus (HBV). They have been followed up to 10 years. A booster dose given in a cohort at the 5th year does not seem to increase protection against HBV. No difference in immunological memory was present at the 10th year between the group of children who had received the booster dose at 5 years of age and the group who did not.