A comparison of post vaccination hepatitis B surface antibody level on the large and appropriate for gestational age infants

Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2021 Jan;10(1):47-51. doi: 10.7774/cevr.2021.10.1.47. Epub 2021 Jan 31.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs Ab) titer 1 month after the 4th dose of hepatitis B vaccine administration on the large and appropriate for gestational age infants.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 7-month-old cases (n=132) divided into two groups of 2-4 kg (group 1: appropriate for gestational age, 63 cases) and >4 kg (group 2: large for gestational age, 69 cases), whom were vaccinated with a four-dose schedule of hepatitis B vaccine in 2016, Tehran, Iran.

Results: Mean birth weight of the groups was 2.98±0.528 and 4.19±0.190 kg, respectively. Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody were negative in all cases. HBs Ab level in group 1 and 2 was 13,701.00±11,744.439 and 8,997.15±2,827.191, respectively (95% confidence interval of difference, -7,607.44 to -1,800.25). There was a significant difference between the two groups in antibody titration and antibody logarithm level (p=0.002, p=0.0001).

Conclusion: Birth weight may affect the response to the hepatitis B virus vaccine administration.

Keywords: Birth weight; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B surface antibody; Hepatitis B vaccines; Hepatitis B virus; Large for gestational age; Vaccines.