Critical condition of newborn after hepatitis B vaccination is due to metabolic disorder

On the morning of September 10, two one-day-old boys, vaccinated against hepatitis B at Vinh Phuc Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital, showed unusual symptoms at noon. One child died, the other is being actively monitored at the National Children's Hospital and is now out of danger.

On the afternoon of September 11, the leader of the National Children's Hospital said that after blood tests, doctors concluded that the cause was due to the baby having a fatty acid metabolism disorder, one of two common forms of congenital metabolic disorders.

This is a rare genetic mutation that can only be detected through specialized testing.

In recent years, doctors at the National Children's Hospital have encountered about 10 cases of death after hepatitis B vaccination, but the cause was not due to the vaccination.

It is just a coincidence that hepatitis B vaccination is often given after birth and that the symptoms of congenital metabolic disorders often worsen when the baby is breastfed for 1 day.

According to information from the hospital, on September 8, Ms. D.TY - 32 years old, residing in Hoang Dan commune, Tam Duong district, Vinh Phuc province - was admitted to the hospital with a 38-week pregnancy with twins. Ms. Y. was pregnant with twins through in vitro fertilization.

At 7:30 a.m. on September 9, Ms. Y. had a cesarean section, and two baby boys were born weighing 2.9 kg and 3 kg respectively. After birth, the mother and the babies were completely healthy.

At around 10:00 a.m. on September 10, the two babies were vaccinated against hepatitis B. After vaccination, the two babies were monitored according to the hospital's obstetrics department, and no abnormalities occurred after the vaccination.

However, at 11:45 a.m. the same day, a child suddenly turned purple, had difficulty breathing, and had respiratory failure and was quickly given emergency care by doctors. However, the child died.

At 3 p.m., the second newborn baby also showed similar symptoms. The baby was given emergency care by doctors at Vinh Phuc Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital and transferred to the National Children's Hospital.

Previously, on September 9, two twins were born by cesarean section at Vinh Phuc Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital. After birth, both were healthy and breastfed normally.

On the morning of September 10, the family gave the two children a hepatitis B vaccine. After the injection, the two children showed unusual symptoms and turned purple. The family was worried so they took them to the emergency room.

However, one child later died, and the other was in critical condition and was taken to a hospital in Hanoi for emergency treatment.

"My family is meeting with the board of directors of the Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital to clarify the cause of the child's death," said the child's family.