A 5-year-old boy is detected to be HBsAg positive on two separate occasions during a screening program for hepatitis B. He is otherwise asymptomatiC. Child was given three doses of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine at the age of 1 year. His mother was treated for chronic hepatitis B infection around the same time. The next relevant step for further investigating the child would be to:
High-Yield Explanation
B. Obtain anti Hbs levels(Ref: Nelson's 20/e p 1942-1952, Ghai 8/e p 220-224)The child in question has received complete vaccination for Hepatitis B, is currently asymptomatic but has tested positive for HBsAg. In order to know whether the infection is acute or chronic, as well as for knowing the immune status of child, anti HBsAg levels should be done next.