Newborn care: hepatitis B prophylaxis: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Newborn care: hepatitis B prophylaxis

Sample item

A baby is born at term to a mother who is HBsAg positive. Which is the recommended immunoprophylaxis for the newborn?

AHepatitis B immunoglobulin aloneBHepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours, at different sitesCAntiviral drug alone to the baby and no vaccineDHepatitis B vaccine alone at 6 weeks

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours, at different sites

Perinatal transmission is the commonest route in endemic regions, and infection acquired at birth often becomes chronic. Babies of HBsAg-positive mothers receive the vaccine and immunoglobulin within 12 hours of birth at separate sites, and then complete the vaccine series. This combined approach prevents most perinatal infections.

Option by option

A. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin alone
Immunoglobulin alone gives temporary protection and does not induce lasting immunity.
B. Hepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours, at different sites (correct)
Correct. Combined passive and active immunisation at birth gives the best protection.
C. Antiviral drug alone to the baby and no vaccine
Antiviral drugs alone for the baby are not the standard and do not replace vaccination.
D. Hepatitis B vaccine alone at 6 weeks
Waiting until 6 weeks would allow early infection and misses the birth-dose window.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Hepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours, at different sites. Perinatal transmission is the commonest route in endemic regions, and infection acquired at birth often becomes chronic.

Why is "Hepatitis B immunoglobulin alone" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin alone gives temporary protection and does not induce lasting immunity.

Why is "Antiviral drug alone to the baby and no vaccine" not the answer?

Antiviral drugs alone for the baby are not the standard and do not replace vaccination.

Why is "Hepatitis B vaccine alone at 6 weeks" not the answer?

Waiting until 6 weeks would allow early infection and misses the birth-dose window.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Newborn care: hepatitis B prophylaxis in PSM. Babies of HBsAg-positive mothers receive the vaccine and immunoglobulin within 12 hours of birth at separate sites, and then complete the vaccine series. This combined approach prevents most perinatal infections.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Newborn care: hepatitis B prophylaxis?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.