Hepatitis B Prevalence during pregnancy

Indian Pediatr. 2009 Nov;46(11):1005-8. Epub 2009 Apr 1.

Abstract

In order to determine the efficacy of a new hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), a phase 3, vertical transmission (mother to child) clinical interventional trial of hepatitis B virus (HBV) post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was conducted at selected sites (n=15) throughout India. This required a large screening program for HBsAg positivity at prenatal clinics located in tertiary care hospitals. 36,379 pregnant women consented to be tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by Rapid Test and if positive-confirmed by ELISA. The weighted mean prevalence was 0.82% (95% CI, 0.72, 0.91). In conclusion, the prevalence of HBV carrier state during pregnancy in India in this study was low compared to previous reports.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / blood
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology*
  • Prenatal Care
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens