title: Risk factors associated with hepatitis B infection in antenatal patients.
abstract: Risk factors associated with HBsAg carriers were prospectively examined in 1821 women attending the Antenatal Clinic of an inner-city obstetrics hospital. Of the sample, 3.2% were HBsAg carriers and 28.7% of 725 tested for anti-HBs were positive. Birth in a country where the prevalence of HBsAg is high and Aboriginal ancestry were the major associated factors rather than a past history of hepatitis or intravenous drug use. Women from Indochina or the Pacific region, if HBsAg-positive, were more likely than other carriers to have markers of viral replication including HBeAg, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and DNA polymerase. Evidence of past infection with HBV also varied with country of birth, but 11% of women with no apparent risk factors for prior HBV infection were anti-HBs positive. This study indicates the need for a screening programme for HBsAg in antenatal populations.
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000208:ethnology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011114:Polynesia / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens