HBIG protection was uniquely reduced the western areas compared with other areas of Shandong Province. the protection of HBIG improved from 85.0% (before July 2011) to 92.1% (after July 2011). However, HBIG protection in western areas of Shandong Province remained at 81.1% among babies with known HBsAg-positive mothers. Preterm/low-birth-weight and illness after birth were the most commonly reported reasons for delay in the 1st dose of HepB to 24?h of birth. Additional education within the security and immune safety from HepB and HBIG might help to correct delays Nikethamide in administering the HepB birth dose and low HBIG protection in the western Nikethamide areas of the Shandong Province. strong class=”kwd-title” Keywords: Hepatitis B, perinatal transmission, prevention, China Abbreviations HBVhepatitis B virusPEPPostexposure prophylaxisHBsAghepatitis B surface antigenHepBhepatitis B vaccineHBIGhepatitis B immune globulinCDCCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Introduction Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B computer virus (HBV) from mothers to babies is a major source of chronic HBV illness.1,2 Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) is 70C95% effective in avoiding perinatal HBV transmission among babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and hepatitis B e antigen positive3; while HepB and Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) at birth, followed by 2 to 3 3 additional doses of HepB, is definitely 85C95% effective.3-5 Studies in areas highly endemic for HBV have shown that passive-active PEP with HBIG and HepB more effectively prevents perinatal HBV transmission than HepB alone.6-8 The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends common HepB as soon Nikethamide as possible after birth, preferably within 24? h no matter maternal HBsAg status, actually in countries with low-endemicity.9 In the Nikethamide United Sates, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Methods (ACIP) recommends infants given birth to to HBsAg-positive mothers get HepB and HBIG within 12?h of birth, and HepB before hospital discharge for babies of mothers with known HBsAg-negative status.3 A national survey in 1992 demonstrated a high prevalence of chronic HBV infection in China, with nearly 10% HBsAg-positivity.10 In 2002, China began integrating HepB into its routine childhood immunization system, with an emphasis on the timeliness of the HepB birth dose. Since 2002, HepB has been provided to babies free of charge with a required first dose within 24?h of Rabbit Polyclonal to CLIP1 birth, followed by two additional doses at 1 and 6 mo of age. Infants not receiving a HepB birth dose before hospital discharge were adopted up and vaccinated in the immunization clinics near their home. To improve protection of timely HepB birth dose, all obstetric wards in China were required to set up separate inoculation rooms, with qualified nurses to vaccinate all babies with HepB. Nikethamide Beginning in July 2011, the Chinese authorities also began providing HBIG free of charge for babies given birth to to HBsAg-positive ladies; HBIG was given concurrently with the HepB birth dose. The cost of maternal HBsAg screening tests, roughly 10 RMB (US$1.6) per test, was not routinely covered by the Chinese government. Shandong Province is located in the eastern a part of China and has a population of 96.8 million.11 In May 2003, the Health Bureau of Shandong Province issued a directive mandating all hospitals with obstetric wards provide to local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (L-CDC) a monthly report consisting of aggregate HBV immunoprophylaxis data. This study analyzed the rates of maternal HBsAg screening, and the coverage and timeliness of the HepB birth dose in Shandong Province from 2004C2012. Data for HBIG administration available from 2011C2012 were also analyzed. Methods Data collection Per the above mention directive, all the hospitals with obstetric wards were required to report information for each newborn that included mother’s name, HBsAg status (positive, unfavorable or unknown), date and time of the infants birth, HepB type and lot number, manufacturer, time of injection, and reason for untimely administration. The date and time of HBIG injection were also required to report since January 2011. The above data were aggregated by the hospitals and were reported monthly in three reporting forms: One form summarized the total number of the newborns,.