A comparison of post vaccination hepatitis B surface antibody level on the large and appropriate for gestational age infants

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs Ab) titer 1 month after the 4th dose of hepatitis B vaccine administration on the large and appropriate for gestational age infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 7-month-old cases (n=132) divided into two groups of 2–4 kg (group 1: appropriate for gestational age, 63 cases) and >4 kg (group 2: large for gestational age, 69 cases), whom were vaccinated with a four-dose schedule of hepatitis B vaccine in 2016, Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: Mean birth weight of the groups was 2.98±0.528 and 4.19±0.190 kg, respectively. Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody were negative in all cases. HBs Ab level in group 1 and 2 was 13,701.00±11,744.439 and 8,997.15±2,827.191, respectively (95% confidence interval of difference, −7,607.44 to −1,800.25). There was a significant difference between the two groups in antibody titration and antibody logarithm level (p=0.002, p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Birth weight may affect the response to the hepatitis B virus vaccine administration.