title: Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Infection among Pregnant Women in One of the Institute of Northern India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) occurs worldwide with more than 2 billion people being infected with HBV at some time in their lives. Transmission of HBV from carrier mothers to babies can occur during perinatal period and is important factor in determining the prevalence of infection in highly endemic areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B infection, among otherwise healthy pregnant females.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study analysed records of antenatal care registry from 1(st) April 2013 to 30(th) March 2014 at our institution. Details of a total of 3686 pregnant women subjected to screening of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was recorded into a preset proforma. Data thus obtained has been analysed using SPSS version 13 and presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seroprevalence of HBsAg positive antenatal females was 1.11%. The mean age of HBsAg positive pregnant women was 24.98±4.16 years. Thirty one (75.61%) subjects hailed form a rural area. 4 (09.75%) and 3 (07.31%) subjects had HBV-HCV co-infection and HBV-HIV co-infection respectively. Mean parity of women with HBV infection was 1.83±0.87. Most common age group with HBV infection was 25-30 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Around 130 countries in the world are currently covered by routine hepatitis B immunization. High prevalence of seropositivity of HBsAg among antenatal female calls for routine vaccination against HBV infection. Universal free screening for HBV infection needs to be offered to all antenatal females on an opt-out basis to prevent the next generation from being grappled by chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govt. Medical College , Patiala, Punjab, India .
authors.forename: Preetkanwal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sibia
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govt. Medical College , Patiala, Punjab, India .
authors.forename: Manjit Kaur
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mohi
authors.affiliation: Junior Resident, Department of Medicine, Govt. Medical College , Patiala, Punjab, India .
authors.forename: Amith
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Carcinoma; Infection; Liver cirrhosis; Mothers; Seroepidemiology