Absence of maternal antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen and HBV vertical transmission: one case of infection notwithstanding passive-active prophylaxis.

We report the case of a newborn of an HBsAg carrier mother who was infected by vertical transmission and developed a subclinical hepatitis B at four months of age, notwithstanding the passive-active prophylaxis performed right after birth. The mother's HBV marker status was: HBsAg positive, HBeAg positive, anti-HBc IgM positive at low titer, anti-HBc IgG negative, anti-HBs negative, anti-HBe negative. It is assumed that the absence of anti-HBC antibodies might have favoured, perhaps in utero, the HBV infection whose antigenic expression was subsequently delayed by HBIg administered at birth.

Simple estimate of creatinine clearance from plasma creatinine in neonates.

Thirteen newborn infants, 8 preterm and 5 term, with either mild or serious neonatal asphyxia were studied. From the first 24 hours of life to day 13, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by creatinine clearance was compared with the values obtained using Schwartz's formula: GFR (ml/min per 1.73 m2) = 0.