[HBsAg screening in pregnant females]

In 1985-1986, the sera of 2,634 pregnant women in the 26th week of gestation were examined for HBsAg by means of counterelectrophoresis and haemagglutination test. 10 sera (0.38%) yielded a positive test result. Only one serum came from a nurse who was occurred in the Public Health Service, suggesting a general HBsAG screening in pregnancy. Thus, hepatitis-B carriers can be detected and, by simultaneous immunization of the newborns the materno-fetal infection prevented.