The hospital OB staff tell me they need the date of the HBsAg on the pregnant woman. Why is this necessary?
See question 3 above. If the woman s HBsAg status is unknown, the infant is to be treated as high-risk for hepatitis B exposure. If not tested with the current pregnancy, it is recommended the woman be tested for HBsAg on admission for delivery. If the results cannot be obtained within 12 hours of delivery, the infant should receive HBIG and HBV. 10. The 2003 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (Red Book) states HBV should be given within 12 hours of birth and HBIG can be administered up to seven days after birth if the mother s HBsAg status is unknown. Why do you say it should be given sooner? The Red Book bases this on the high cost of HBIG. Florida provides the HBIG and HBV free of charge to all birthing facilities enrolled in the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). Also, the HBIG insert states, Efficacy of prophylactic Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) in infants at risk depends on administering Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) on the day of birth. It is therefore
