Screening of pregnant women for evidence of current hepatitis B infection: selective or universal?
This paper reports the findings of a retrospective survey which assessed the accuracy of the selective screening programme for hepatitis B infection. The survey was undertaken in the antenatal clinics of West Lambeth Health Authority during 1988 and 1990. Forty per cent of hepatitis B positive patients were not screened, which highlights the problems associated with selective screening programmes. The implications for obstetricians and midwives are discussed, and recommendations are made.
St Thomas' Hospital, London.
I
I
Chrystie
D
D
Sumner
S
S
Palmer
A
A
Kenney
J
J
Banatvala
D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom