Brief Reports
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 1, 2004; 10(21): 3215-3217
Published online Nov 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i21.3215
Effect of hepatitis B immunoglobulin on interruption of HBV intrauterine infection
Xiao-Mao Li, Min-Feng Shi, Yue-Bo Yang, Zhong-Jie Shi, Hong-Ying Hou, Hui-Min Shen, Ben-Qi Teng
Xiao-Mao Li, Yue-Bo Yang, Zhong-Jie Shi, Hong-Ying Hou, Hui-Min Shen, Ben-Qi Teng, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
Min-Feng Shi, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Science and Research Foundation of Guangzhou Science and Technology Committee, No.1999-J-005-01
Correspondence to: Professor Xiao-Mao Li, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China. tigerlee777@163.net
Telephone: +86-20-85515609 Fax: +86-20-87565575
Received: February 6, 2004
Revised: February 19, 2004
Accepted: February 26, 2004
Published online: November 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) in interrupting hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine infection during late pregnancy.

METHODS: We allocated 112 HBsAg positive pregnant women into 2 groups randomly. Fifty seven cases in the HBIG group received 200 IU (unit) HBIG intramuscularly every 4 wk from the 28 wk of gestation to the time of delivery, while 55 cases in the control group received no special treatment. HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAb, HBeAb, HBsAb and HBV DNA levels were tested in the peripheral blood specimens from all of the mothers at 28 wk of gestation, just before delivery, and in blood from their newborns within 24 h before administration of immune prophylaxis.

RESULTS: The intrauterine infection rate in HBIG group and control group were 10.5% and 27.3%, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.05). It showed ascendant trend as HBV DNA levels in the peripheral blood increased before delivery.

CONCLUSION: HBIG is potent to cut down HBV intrauterine infection rate significantly when administered to pregnant women regularly during late pregnancy. The possibility of HBV intrauterine infection increases if maternal blood HBV DNA ≥ 108 copies/mL.

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