Passive Transfer of Hepatitis B Antibodies through Intravenous Immunoglobulin in a Neonate

• Main Authors: João Rato, Daniela Alves, Luís Rodrigues
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ordem dos Médicos 2019-12-01
• Series: Acta Médica Portuguesa
• Subjects: cardiomyopathy, dilated; hepatitis b antibodies; immunoglobulins, intravenous/adverse effects; infant, newborn
• Online Access: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/9792

Passive transfer of antibodies secondary to intravenous immunoglobulin infusion is a rare but important side effect that can lead to the wrong diagnosis and therapeutic decisions. It has never been reported in a newborn. A male newborn, vaccinated against hepatitis B and diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, presented positive hepatitis B core antibodies at 12 days of life. Exclusion of hepatitis B infection was mandatory as it would be a contraindication to heart transplant. Passive transfer of antibodies was confirmed at 44 days of age, after seroreversion of hepatitis B core antibodies. Passive transfer of antibodies after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion can lead to a misleading diagnosis if not recognized. In our patient it could have been especially harmful had it prevented heart transplant. Screening for hepatitis B should be performed at least 1 month after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion.