Selective screening of
pregnant women misses viral hepatitis cases
(Infectious Disease-September
22, 2003)
In Denmark the selective
screening of pregnant women misses viral hepatitis cases.
According to recent research from Denmark, "the prevalence of hepatitis B
virus (HBV) carriage in Denmark is unknown, but expected to be low (0.1%).
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selective antenatal screening
for HBV infection and the epidemiology of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
among pregnant women."
"Four thousand ninety-eight women were included in the study. Blood tests
were examined for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core
antigen (HBcAg) and anti-HCV. Case records were studied to evaluate whether
patients at risk for HBV infection had been tested," described L. Jensen and
colleagues, Hvidovre University Hospital, Clinical Research Unit.
"Among the 4098 women, 18 [0.4%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.3-0.7]
were HBsAg positive. All had a risk
factor for HBV infection. Only 13 (72%)
were identified as HBsAg positive in the selective screening program,"
researchers noted.
"One hundred fifteen women (2.8%, 95% CI 2.3-3.4) were anti-HBc positive
only. Ninety-five (83%) were at risk for HBV. Only 72 of these (63%) were
tested for HBsAg. The screening program in this area of Denmark did not pick
up one-third of pregnant women at risk of HBV," researchers concluded.
Jensen and colleagues published their study in Scandinavian Journal of
Infectious Diseases (Efficacy of selective antenatal screening for hepatitis
B among pregnant women in denmark: Is selective screening still an
acceptable strategy in a low-endemicity country? Scand J Infect Dis,
2003;35(6-7):378-382).
For additional information, contact L. Jensen, Hvidovre University Hospital,
Clinical Research Unit 136, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
Publisher contact information for the Scandinavian Journal of Infectious
Diseases is: Taylor & Francis as, Cort Adelersgt 17, PO Box 2562, Solli,
0202 Oslo, Norway.
The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of
Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatology, Hepatitis C Virus, Infectious Disease,
Obstetrics, Virology, and Women's Health. This article was prepared by
Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports.
©Copyright 2003, Health &
Medicine Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net
