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Hepatitis B Vaccination in Down's Syndrome and Other Mentally Retarded Patients
Author(s) -
Heijtink Rudolf A.,
Jong Pieter De,
Schalm Solko W.,
Masurel Nic
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840040406
Subject(s) - mentally retarded , vaccination , down syndrome , titer , hepatitis b , medicine , pediatrics , immunology , psychiatry , psychology , antibody , developmental psychology
The immune response after vaccination with H‐B‐VAX (20 μg, Months 0, 1 and 6) was investigated in 23 Down's syndrome patients and compared to that in 30 other mentally retarded patients and 32 staff members. About 90% of Down's syndrome and other mentally retarded patients and 100% of staff members had anti‐HBs at Month 9, but anti‐HBs less than 10IU per liter were found in 6/23 (26.1%) of Down's syndrome, 7/30 (23.3%) of other mentally retarded patients, in contrast to 2/32 (6.2%) of staff members. No differences in anti‐HBs response with regard to sex and age were observed in staff members, but geometric mean titers of anti‐HBs were lower in older Down's syndrome and other mentally retarded patients, and in male Down's syndrome patients. Supplementary vaccination is necessary in these individuals to obtain “protective levels” of anti‐HBs.