In 1984 Taiwan began the first universal vaccine of hepatitis B in newborns. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Chronic infections often lead to the development of liver cancer. In the past, many babies born to mothers with chronic hepatitis B developed exposure to the hepatitis B virus coming through the birth canal. Many of these women had no symptoms and did not know they could pass this deadly disease on to their newborn. Chronic infections in these infants with this hepatitis B are often asymptomatic but over many years will progress into liver cancer. Cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 6 to 9-year-old children born in Taiwan between 1984 and 1986 declined by 75% (1) after the start of the vaccine program. Six to nineteen-year-old children and teens still showed a 70% decrease in HCC twenty years later (2).
The AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS (AAP) now recommends that all newborns weighing at least 2,000 grams be given the first Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth (3). Despite an effective available vaccine, 1000 US babies still acquire Hepatitis B at birth. They have a 90% of developing chronic Hepatitis B and up to a 25% chance of dying from liver cancer or liver failure when they get older (3). These unnecessary deaths are entirely preventable. There is no cure for Hepatitis B but it can be easily prevented with the vaccine. We have effective vaccines for Hepatitis A and B but no current vaccine for Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C are the leading cause of liver cancer. Hepatitis B was the leading cause of liver cancer in the past. Because we have been giving almost all newborns and high-risk adults the Hepatitis B vaccine since the 80’s, we have greatly reduced the number of cases caused by Hepatitis B. So now Hepatitis C has become the leading cause of liver cancer in the US. Just as polio and smallpox have disappeared so can Hepatitis B.
If mom has the active hepatitis B virus in her body when her baby is born, then the baby will also need hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of delivery. These “passive” antibodies will help the baby fight the virus and make the vaccine more effective (4). Most people that get the hepatitis vaccine have no adverse reactions. Over 100 million people have received the hepatitis B vaccine in the US and there have been no reported serious side effects. Most side effects are minor (sore arm or low grade temp) (4). To learn more about hepatitis B, talk with your child’s doctor or visit the CDC hepatitis B disease page.
References
1.) Hepatitis B vaccination in children: the Taiwan experience. Pathol Biol (Paris). 2010 Aug;58(4):296-300. doi: 10.1016/j.patbio.2009.11.002. Epub 2010 Jan 29.
2.) Decreased Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Vaccines: A 20-Year Follow-up Study J Natl Cancer Inst 2009; 101:1348–1355
3.) www.aappublications.org/news/2017/08/28/HepB082817
4.) www.cdc.gov/features/hepatitis-b-vaccine/index.
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