Proposal for routine antenatal screening at 14 weeks for hepatitis B surface antigen

Abstract

Incorporation of universal testing for hepatitis B surface antigen into routine prenatal laboratory testing is practical; high compliance is achieved when screening is supplemented with rapid screening at delivery for those who escaped routine prenatal care.

Risks for obstetricians - a review of the current issues and literature

“…Antenatal screening of a Dutch population, which is thought to be an appropriat e comparison with the United Kingdom, with 97% uptake, showed the prevalence to be 1´6% in the large cities and 0´3% in the rural areas (Grosheide et al, 1995). With 60± 90% of babies born to infectious mothers (HBeAg positive) becoming carriers if infected perinatally (compared to only 10% of adults), and prompt administration of immune prophylaxis preventing this infection, it is in our best interests to be aware of the prevalence of this virus in our antenatal population.…”

Much gained by integrating contact tracing and vaccination in the hepatitis B antenatal screening program in Amsterdam, 1992?1999*1

“…Some countries of low endemicity have chosen for selective antenatal screening [21], but the Netherlands adopted universal antenatal screening in 1989 [22,23] with additional enhanced vaccination programs in 1998 targeted at high-risk groups [24] and source and contact tracing around reported cases of acute hepatitis B. The majority of women identified in the screening in Amsterdam (.…”

Diagnóstico prenatal y cribado de cromosomopatías

“…La prueba puede repetirse en el tercer trimestre si se sospecha hepatitis aguda, exposición a hepatitis o la mujer presenta conducta de riesgo elevado. U.S. Preventive Serv ices Task Force, nivel de recomendación "A" 4,9 .…”