What is the recommended treatment for newborns born to mothers with active Hepatitis B?

For newborns born to mothers with active Hepatitis B, the recommended treatment involves both passive and active immunization. This approach includes the administration of Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours after birth.

The passive immunization with HBIG provides immediate immunity by supplying antibodies against the Hepatitis B virus. This is crucial in preventing the transmission of the virus from the mother to the newborn. The active vaccination with the Hepatitis B vaccine helps the infant’s immune system to develop its own response to the virus over time, providing longer-lasting protection.

This two-pronged strategy significantly reduces the risk of the newborn developing Hepatitis B infection, which can have serious long-term health implications, including chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Other options that just include vaccination or observation do not provide the immediate protection needed at birth, especially since newborns from infected mothers are at a very high risk of contracting the virus if no intervention is initiated. Therefore, the best practice is to implement both forms of immunization as timely and effectively as possible.