A newborn delivered at a primary health centre is stable and feeding well. As part of the Universal Immunization Programme, the hepatitis B birth dose should ideally be administered within what time frame after delivery?

• A Within the first 6 hours
• B Before discharge, irrespective of duration
• C Within the first 72 hours
• D Within the first 24 hours ✓

Explanation

Both the National Immunization Schedule and WHO recommend the hepatitis D birth dose within 24 hours of birth, because perinatal transmission accounts for a large proportion of chronic HBV infection and early dosing dramatically reduces vertical transmission. Delaying until discharge or beyond 24 hours loses this window. The remaining three doses are given later with pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10 and 14 weeks.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.