Prevention of hepatitis B by passive immunization of children with chronic hematologic disease immunoglobulin

: In order to prevent the hepatitis virus B (HBV) infection, in 66 children aged from 6 months to 14 years with acute and chronic leukaemias, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, testicular tumours, and aplastic anaemia a specific immunoglobulin was used intravenously (Hepatect made by Biotest). Hepatect was given every month to children with proliferative diseases throughout the whole time of intensive chemotherapy, and to children with aplastic anaemias during the administration of antilymphocytic globulin, prednisone, and Anapoln. Fourteen children were excluded from the analysis due to lack of systematic follow-up. Among 52 studied children, in most cases considerable fluctuations were observed of antibody concentration, the maximal values of which were of 150 mIU/ml. In 35 children, with the exception of sporadic falls, the anti-HBs antibody level remained level was noted, in two cases the presence of antibodies was revealed only sporadically. One of these children was infected with HBV. In all, three children were infected (5.76% of all children in the studied group). Perhaps the use of higher doses of Hepatect and its more frequent administration in children showing low anti-HBs level after routine doses might reduce further the incidence of infection.