Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among pregnant women in a low-risk population

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B carriers among our low-risk obstetric population and to determine the need for routine screening. METHODS: A group of 1224 pregnant women, admitted to Gazi University Medical Center, were screened for HBsAg using an enzyme-immunoassay technique, and the obstetrical care records were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were seropositive with a prevalence of 4.33% for HBV chronic carrier status in our obstetric population. CONCLUSIONS: Routine HBsAg screening is advisable in our antenatal population.