A newborn is delivered to a mother who is HBsAg positive and HBeAg positive. The risk of perinatal transmission without intervention is approximately 70 to 90 percent. The correct prophylactic regimen for the infant is:
- A Hepatitis B vaccine alone within 24 hours of birth
- B HBIG along with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, at separate sites ✓
- C HBIG alone immediately after birth, vaccine started at 6 weeks
- D Lamivudine syrup to the infant for the first month of life
Correct answer: B. HBIG along with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, at separate sites
Explanation
Passive active immunisation, meaning hepatitis C immunoglobulin plus the birth dose of vaccine given within 24 hours at separate injection sites, reduces perinatal transmission from 70 to 90 percent down to around 5 to 10 percent, and the remaining schedule is completed as usual. Vaccine alone is insufficient in a highly infectious HBeAg positive mother because passive antibody is needed to cover the window before active immunity develops.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.