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Prenatal hepatitis B testing in a midsize southern city.
Southern Medical Journal
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Universal prenatal screening for hepatitis B is recommended for all pregnant individuals, even in low-risk groups. This study found that current risk criteria miss most hepatitis B cases, highlighting the need for broader screening.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics
- Hepatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Universal prenatal screening for hepatitis B in low-risk populations is a debated topic.
- Characterizing the obstetric population is crucial for understanding disease prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in an obstetric population in a midsize southern city.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of existing Centers for Disease Control (CDC) risk criteria for identifying hepatitis B in this population.
Main Methods:
- Screened 2013 patients for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody between June 1988 and February 1990.
- Analyzed screening results against the 1984 CDC risk group criteria.
Main Results:
- 105 patients (5.2%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antibody.
- 15 patients (0.8%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.
- Only 25% of positive cases would have been identified using the 1984 CDC risk criteria; no other predictive features were found.
Conclusions:
- Universal prenatal screening for hepatitis B is indicated in low-risk populations.
- The high prevalence and lack of predictive features support the need for universal screening.