title: THE EMERGENT CONCERN OF SEROPOSITIVE STATUS OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS IN THE PREGNANT FEMALES ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Viral hepatitis is a global problem affecting millions of people including pregnant females. Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is associated with both maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study was an attempt to assess the seropositive status of hepatitis-B and C infection among pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional observational study was conducted at Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences and Trust Hospital, Karachi from January to September 2012. Patients were recruited by consecutive sampling. At the booking visit, blood was drawn and tested for HbsAg and Anti HCV by Eliza method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the screened population, 2% were reactive for HBV and 13.3% were found reactive for HCV. All HbsAg and HCV positive pregnant patients had one or more than one delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study sample, high frequency of HBV and HCV is suggestive of the importance of antenatal screening of these viral diseases, which has impact on the mother as well as the new born baby. HCV was more common as compared to HBV which is quite alarming.
authors.forename: Kaweeta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: Naresh Kumar
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Seetlani
authors.forename: Rehana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akhter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies