Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission in an obstetric/infant population

• Published in: Canadian journal of infectious diseases 1993-01, Vol.4 (5), p.288-291
• Main Authors: Parker, P J, Gyorkos, T W, Dylewski, J S, Joshi, A K, Franco, E D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 1180-2332; 1712-9532; 1918-1493
• DOI: 10.1155/1993/986932

This retrospective study reviewed the screening practice and seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among all mothers with live births at a teaching hospital in Montreal between November 1, 1990 and April 30, 1991. Most women (94%) were screened prenatally and 5.2% postnatally. Screening status could not be determined for 0.8% of women. One-quarter of all postnatal screening results were available only at 48 h or more postdelivery. No infants born to women with postnatal screening or to women with unknown screening status were immunized expectantly. The maternal seroprevalence was 1.08% (95% confidence interval from 0.6, 1.4). All 22 infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers had received hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 h of birth and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 h. Follow-up of infants revealed that only 50% had received the second and third doses according to the recommended protocol, with 83% completing the immunization series. These results indicate that a program of prenatal HBsAg screening and neonatal prophylaxis against hepatitis B can be successfully instituted in a high volume obstetric hospital, and that better monitoring of infants is required to ensure completion of vaccination.