A neonate is born to a mother who is HBsAg positive. Under the Universal Immunization Programme in India, the single most important intervention to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B is:
- A Hepatitis B vaccine given within 24 hours of birth, followed by completion of the primary series ✓
- B Hepatitis B immunoglobulin alone at birth without vaccination
- C Screening breast milk and withholding breastfeeding until HBV DNA becomes negative
- D Antiviral therapy given to the infant for the first month of life
Correct answer: A. Hepatitis B vaccine given within 24 hours of birth, followed by completion of the primary series
Explanation
India provides a universal monovalent hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours of delivery because infants infected perinatally have a very high probability, around 80 to 90 percent, of becoming chronic carriers. Early vaccination blocks this route even before the later doses. Breastfeeding is not contraindicated in HBsAg-positive mothers, and antivirals are not given to neonates; maternal third-trimester antiviral therapy, not infant therapy, is the adjunct strategy.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.