Chandrika Verma1, M M Faridi2, Manish Narang1, Iqbal R Kaur3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr MMA Faridi, B-14, G-4, Vivek Vihar Phase-1, Delhi 110 095. mmafaridi@yahoo.co.in. 3. Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare anti-HBs titers between term low birth weight (1800-2499 g) infants and normal birthweight infants, 6 weeks after last dose of primary immunization with pentavalent vaccine, and to study adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with pentavalent vaccine. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-care hospital predominantly catering to urban poor population of East Delhi. PARTICIPANTS: 265 low birthweight (1800-2499 g) and 265 normal birthweight (2500-4000 g) infants. Monovalent Hepatitis B vaccine was administered within 24 hours of birth followed by three primary doses of pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Anti-HBs titers were estimated after 6 weeks of third dose of pentavalent vaccine. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) month were observed for a month after each dose of pentavalent vaccine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anti HBs antibody titers after 6 weeks of primary immunization, and AEFI. RESULTS: 443 (83.5%) infants (225 low birthweight and 218 normal birthweight infants) completed the follow-up. Seroprotection against hepatitis B virus was achieved in both groups after pentavalent vaccine administration. Anti HBs GMTs in low birthweight infants (194.8 mIU/mL) and normal birthweight infants (204.2 mIU/mL) were comparable (P = 0.17). No serious adverse events were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Three primary doses of pentavalent vaccine administered along with zero dose of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth provide good seroprotection. The vaccine appears to be safe in both low birth weight and normal birthweight infants born at term.
OBJECTIVE: To compare anti-HBs titers between term low birth weight (1800-2499 g) infants and normal birthweight infants, 6 weeks after last dose of primary immunization with pentavalent vaccine, and to study adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with pentavalent vaccine. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-care hospital predominantly catering to urban poor population of East Delhi. PARTICIPANTS: 265 low birthweight (1800-2499 g) and 265 normal birthweight (2500-4000 g) infants. Monovalent Hepatitis B vaccine was administered within 24 hours of birth followed by three primary doses of pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Anti-HBs titers were estimated after 6 weeks of third dose of pentavalent vaccine. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) month were observed for a month after each dose of pentavalent vaccine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anti HBs antibody titers after 6 weeks of primary immunization, and AEFI. RESULTS: 443 (83.5%) infants (225 low birthweight and 218 normal birthweight infants) completed the follow-up. Seroprotection against hepatitis B virus was achieved in both groups after pentavalent vaccine administration. Anti HBs GMTs in low birthweight infants (194.8 mIU/mL) and normal birthweight infants (204.2 mIU/mL) were comparable (P = 0.17). No serious adverse events were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Three primary doses of pentavalent vaccine administered along with zero dose of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth provide good seroprotection. The vaccine appears to be safe in both low birth weight and normal birthweight infants born at term.