Publication:

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in South India

Background Vertical transmission of infection from mother to infants is a very important route of transmission of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women usually goes undetected. The hepatitis B surface antigen in serum is the first seromarker to indicate active HBV infection. This study was done to determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg in healthy asymptomatic antenatal women.

Methods It was a hospital based study over a period of two years. A total of 1282 antenatal patients were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Results The prevalence rate of HBsAg was found to be 1.01 %( 13 positive out of 1282 cases). Highest prevalence was in age group 26-30(46%) followed by age group 31-35(30.8%) followed by age group 20-25 yrs (23.1%).

Conclusions Screening of all pregnant women for HBV irrespective of risk factors will reduce the prevalence and risks of HBV infection.