Zhao M, et al. - Researchers investigated if antepartum administration of three doses of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is efficacious in interrupting mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). They enrolled 728 hepatitis B e antigen-positive pregnant women with chronic HBV infection who had an HBV DNA level higher than 6log₁₀ copies/mL in this trial. Based on individual preference, three groups of patients were formed: Group A and group B received 200 IU (unit) HBIG and 400 IU (unit) HBIG intramuscularly once a month at the third, second and first month before delivery, respectively; Group C received no special treatment and served as the control. As per outcomes, the MTCT of HBV was effectively prevented with the administration of passive-active immunoprophylaxis to infants. They noted neither decrease in the rate of MTCT nor an increase in the antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen levels of infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive mothers with HBV DNA higher than 6log₁₀ copies/mL when extra antepartum administration of HBIG during pregnancy was performed.