Routine screening for hepatitis B in an obstetric population.
A prospective study was performed to determine whether the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) risk factors for hepatitis B are reliable predictors of the hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state in an obstetric population. At their initial obstetric visit, 1466 consecutive patients had their serum screened for hepatitis B surface antigen by radioimmunoassay. During the initial interview, the physician obtained information regarding the presence of any of the CDC risk factors for hepatitis B (ethnicity or history of venereal disease, blood transfusion, hepatitis exposure, hepatitis, drug abuse, or occupational exposure). Twelve women were found to have positive hepatitis B surface antigen, for a prevalence of 0.82%. Six of these 12 had risk factors. Five had high-risk ethnic background, two of whom also had a history of hepatitis. One health care worker, a nurse, was also positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. The other six patients had no recognized risk factors. If hepatitis B surface antigen had been evaluated according to the CDC risk-factor guidelines, half of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients would not have been identified.
Butterfield
C R
CR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas.
Shockley
M
M
San Miguel
G
G
Rosa
C
C
D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012307:Risk Factors
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens