NEW THIS FRIDAY: HEPATITIS B VACCINATION DURING PREGNANCY FOR PREVENTING INFANT INFECTION

Wednesday, 31st of July 2013

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION DURING PREGNANCY FOR PREVENTING INFANT INFECTION

Sangkomkamhang US, Lumbiganon P, Laopaiboon M

Published Online:

May 11, 2011

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus and occurs worldwide. For infants and children, the two main sources of the infection are transmission from an infected mother or living in an infected household. Perinatal transmission is common in highly endemic areas. Hepatitis B vaccines are available and require a series of three doses over six months. The most common side effects are pain at the vaccination site and mild to moderate fever. Maternal hepatitis B vaccine immunization may be a way of preventing hepatitis B infection in infants before hepatitis B vaccine can be administered and provide protection to the infant. Infected hepatitis B virus infants are more likely to develop complications such as chronic infection, cirrhosis or liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). This review found no evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding the effects of hepatitis B vaccine for preventing infant infection.

Background:

Infant hepatitis B infection increases risk of chronic infection, cirrhosis or liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) in adult. Perinatal transmission is a common route of infection.

Objectives:

To assess the effectiveness and adverse effects of hepatitis B vaccine administered to pregnant women for preventing hepatitis B virus infection in infants.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Groups Trials Register (31 December 2010).

Selection criteria:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing hepatitis B vaccination compared with placebo or no treatment during pregnancy for preventing infant infection. We excluded quasi-RCTs and crossover studies.

Data collection and analysis:

Two review authors independently assessed trial eligibility.

Main results:

We were not able to include any studies.

Authors conclusions:

We found no RCTs that assessed the effects of hepatitis B vaccine during pregnancy for preventing infant infection. Consequently, this review cannot provide guidance for clinical practice in this area. However, it does identify the need for well-designed randomized clinical trials for the effect of hepatitis B vaccine during pregnancy on the incidence of infant infection and adverse effects.

This record should be cited as:

Sangkomkamhang US, Lumbiganon P, Laopaiboon M. Hepatitis B vaccination during pregnancy for preventing infant infection. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD007879. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007879.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

January 31, 2011