Hepatitis B Immune Serum Globulin in Prevention of Nonparenterally Transmitted Hepatitis B

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Abstract
To compare the protective effects of hepatitis B immune globulin and standard immune globulin, 44 randomly selected children admitted to three institutions received hepatitis immune globulin, and 37 others received standard globulin at four-month intervals. Fifty-two untreated children admitted to one of the institutions were also observed. In those given hepatitis immune globulin, specific antibody remained detectable up to four months. During a follow-up period of 1 1/2 to two years, anicteric or inapparent hepatitis B developed in 11 per cent of children receiving either type of globulin; none remained persistently antigen positive. In 25 per cent of the untreated children serologic or biochemical evidence of hepatitis B infection developed, and in half of these a persistent antigen carrier state developed. Thus, standard immune globulin and hepatitis B immune globulin may be effective in preventing or modifying nonparenterally transmitted hepatitis B in an endemic setting. (N Engl J Med 290:701–706, 1974)