THE PREGNANT HEPATITIS-B CARRIER - EVIDENCE FAVORING COMPREHENSIVE ANTEPARTUM SCREENING

  • 1 May 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 69  (5) , 701-704
Abstract
The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among 15,399 gravidas screened in the parental clinic at Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans was 0.88%. The race-specific prevalence was 0.56% for whites, 0.62% for blacks, and 8.8% for Orientals. Identifiable risk factors could not be found for approximately half of the hepatitis B surface antigen-positive women. Comprehensive antepartum hepatitis B screening is recommended, based upon the significant risk of perinatal transmission to the neonate and upon the failure of selective screening to identify the majority of maternal hepatitis B surface antigen carrier in our population. The cost-effectiveness of general antepartum screening compares favorably with current blood bank hepatitis screening costs.

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