Evaluation of a new vaccination program for infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers in Stockholm County.

To overcome previous shortcomings in the routines for prophylaxis to newborns of hepatitis B infected pregnant women, we established a new program in 2005. This program combined monovalent hepatitis B vaccine at birth and at one month with three doses of hexavalent vaccine, including a hepatitis B vaccine component, at 3, 5 and 12 months, respectively. The hexavalent vaccine and follow-up serologies were administered at the well baby clinics.

Serum ALT levels as a surrogate marker for serum HBV DNA levels in HBeAg-negative pregnant women.

In Stockholm, Sweden, the majority of pregnant women positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) negative. Newborns to HBeAg positive mothers receive vaccination and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg). Newborns to HBeAg negative mothers receive vaccine and HBIg only if the mothers have elevated ALT levels.