Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody positivity among women of childbearing age after three decades of universal vaccination in South Korea

Age-specific seroprotection after Hepatitis B virus vaccination among Korean American pediatric population in Queens, New York

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a major health issue among Asian Americans. The prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B infection in New York City is estimated to be 2.7% compared with .3% in the overall United States. The efficacy and long-term immunity of HBV vaccination in the Korean American pediatric population in Queens, NY, are not well explored. This study aimed to 1) determine the age-specific prevalence of anti-HBs seropositivity in the Korean American pediatric population and 2) assess biologic/demographic factors influencing immunologic response to HBV vaccine. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients registered to a pediatric health clinic located in Queens, NY, from October 2014 to October 2020. Out of 604 medical records of patients aged ≤18 years who received a completed series of HBV vaccines during infancy, we analyzed 91 medical records where HBV serology test (HBsAg and anti-HBs) results were available. Three out of 91 subjects were born to HBsAg-positive mothers. Eight out of 91 subjects were born in South Korea. Overall, 54.9% of subjects were anti-HBs-seropositive. The seropositive rate in the 15 to 18-years-old-age group (14.3%) was significantly lower than that in other age groups: < 1 year (100%) (p = .015), 1–4 years (52.6%) (p = .033), 5–9 years (63.3%) (p = .0034), and 10–14 years (64%) (p = .0063). The mean duration since vaccination in seropositive subjects was 96.5 ± 53.9 months, and that in seronegative subjects was 121.7 ± 64.2 months (p < .047). Gender, BMI, and foreign birth were not significant risk factors affecting the nonseroprotective status. The role of routine screening of anti-HB titers and booster vaccination in this endemic community needs to be further explored.

Asian Pacific association for the study of liver (APASL) guidelines: hepatitis B virus in pregnancy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still remains a major public health issue in the Asia-Pacific region. Most of the burden of HBV-related disease results from infections acquired in infancy through perinatal or early childhood exposure to HBV in Asia-Pacific. Hepatitis B during pregnancy presents unique management issues for both the mother and fetus. These APASL guidelines provide a comprehensive review and recommendations based on available evidence in the literature, for the management of females with HBV infection through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. These also address the concerns, management challenges, and required follow-up of children born to hepatitis B-positive mothers.