Immunisation: hepatitis B prophylaxis: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Immunisation: hepatitis B prophylaxis

Sample item

A term newborn is born to an HBsAg-positive mother. What is the best post-exposure prophylaxis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG within 12 hours of birth at different sites

The baby should receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours at separate sites. This is about 90 percent effective in preventing chronic infection. The vaccine series then continues, and serology is checked later.

Option by option

  • A. Observe, no treatment

    Without prophylaxis most infected infants become chronic carriers.

  • B. Hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG within 12 hours of birth at different sites (correct)

    Correct. Vaccine plus HBIG within 12 hours.

  • C. Hepatitis B vaccine at 6 weeks

    Delaying the vaccine until 6 weeks loses protection.

  • D. Antiviral drugs for the baby

    Antivirals are not the standard for the infant.

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.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG within 12 hours of birth at different sites. The baby should receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours at separate sites.

Why is "Observe, no treatment" not the answer?

Without prophylaxis most infected infants become chronic carriers.

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

Delaying the vaccine until 6 weeks loses protection.

Why is "Antiviral drugs for the baby" not the answer?

Antivirals are not the standard for the infant.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: hepatitis B prophylaxis in Pediatrics. This is about 90 percent effective in preventing chronic infection. The vaccine series then continues, and serology is checked later.

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 Immunisation: hepatitis B prophylaxis?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.