Abstract
A newborn infant, born to a HBsAg-positive drug addict with HBeAg and DNA-polymerase activity in serum, was treated with repeated very high doses of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg). The mother turned HBsAg-negative about 8 months after delivery and the HBIg prophylaxis was then discontinued. A check-up of the infant about a year later revealed normal liver function tests but significantly increased levels of antibodies against HBcAg and HBsAg indicating a past subclinical hepatitis B infection, apparently without harm to the infant.