Determination of HBSAg in pregnancy. Epidemiologic study of 100 cases.

Authors

  • Ana Paulo Costa Serviço de Obstetrícia Ginecologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa.
  • Ana Cristina Vaz
  • Inês De Castro
  • João Macedo Dória

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.3217

Abstract

There are some arguments concerning prenatal Hepatitis B testing: universal screening versus testing of risk groups. A thousand parturients were evaluated in order to assess the sensitivity of risk factors in the identification of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive women. To achieve that purpose they were questioned regarding risk factors and blood samples were collected for HBsAg testing. Thirty two HBsAg positive parturients were identified. A larger number of HBsAg positive was found amongst women included in the class 5 of the Graffard scale (p = 0.005), or referring contact with patients with hepatitis (p = 0.01). These risk factors identified no more than 17 of the 32 positive mothers (sensitivity = 53%). None of the other risk factors proved significant. The entire questionnaire allows a sensitivity of 87.5% but presents a specificity of 22.5%. In this population, risk factors are not a good method of screening HBsAg positive women. A universal screening must be undertaken in order to prevent vertical transmission of the virus and to detect families in risk.

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How to Cite

1.
Costa AP, Vaz AC, De Castro I, Dória JM. Determination of HBSAg in pregnancy. Epidemiologic study of 100 cases. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 1992 Mar. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 14];5(3):124-7. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/3217

Issue

Section

Arquivo Histórico