Evaluation of hepatitis B serologies of babies of hepatitis B carrier mothers applying to social pediatric clinic

Objective: It was aimed to investigate the success of immunoprophylaxis, vaccine responses and possible reasons in the case of non-response in the babies of HBs Ag positive mothers, to identify the babies with vaccine unresponsiveness and to repeat the vaccination course, to treat the babies who need treatment, to investigate the follow-up status of the mothers, and to determine the vaccination status of the fathers. Materials and Methods: The patient group consisted of babies of HBs Ag positive mothers who were born in Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital between 01.04.2020 and 01.08.2021. Thirty-nine infants of mothers who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen were included in the study. All of these babies were given hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis b immunoglobulin (HBIG) immediately after birth. Hepatitis B vaccine course was administered at 0,1 and 6 months. The information of the patients was obtained from the records in the hospital information system and processed in the excel file. At least one month after the last dose of vaccine, Hbs Ag and anti Hbs values were checked. The effects of maternal age, mode of delivery and weight on the anti HBs values of infants, and the effect of education and income level on mothers' follow-up were investigated. While evaluating the data in the study, SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences 28 version) program was used. Statistical analysis was made with Mann Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square tests and logistic regression model, and the p<0.05 level was considered statistically significant. Results: 39 infants born to HBs Ag positive mothers were included in the study. Of the cases, 23 (59%) were girls and 16 (41%) were boys. It was observed that 94.8% of infants who were tested for anti HBs after three doses of vaccine had a protective Ab level. Anti HBs was found to be negative in two infants. Anti HBs averages were found to be higher in male gender, cesarean delivery, and babies with a birth week over 37 weeks. However, statistical significance was not found (p>0.05). Conclusion: In the first trimester, all pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B, those with positive Hbs Ag should be tested further, and the tests should be repeated at 26 and 28 weeks for positive ones. The antiviral treatment decision is made according to the HBV DNA level. Hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG should be administered to the babies of HBs Ag positive pregnant women immediately after delivery. HBs Ag and anti HBs levels should be checked at the earliest one month after the vaccination course is completed, and the vaccine course should be repeated for babies with an anti-HBs titer below 10 mIU/mL. Hepatitis B infection is a disease that can be prevented by vaccination. One of the most important steps in the fight against this disease is the prevention of perinatal transmission. Keywords: Hepatitis B Virus, Vaccine, Perinatal Transmission, Anti-HBs, HCC