Screening for hepatitis B in pregnancy
Best L
Record ID 31998008879
English
Authors' objectives:
There is a proposal for all pregnant women to be screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the antenatal period. Neonates who are likely to have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (ie those with HBsAg positive mothers) can be immunised in their first 6 months of life. The author evaluates this proposal.
Authors' results and conclusions:
The studies found that universal screening would save between 21 and 233 life-years per year.
Authors' recommendations:
Universal screening is strongly recommended. The author points out that there are plans to implement routine hepatitis B vaccination, and that, since vaccination would probably take place at 3 months of age, without antenatal screening this strategy would mean vaccination coming too late for those babies who are most at risk of becoming carriers or developing fulminant infection in their first few months of life (those born to HBeAg positive mothers).
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk
Year Published:
1996
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England
MeSH Terms
- Costs and Cost Analysis
- Hepatitis B
- Mass Screening
- Prenatal Diagnosis
Contact
Organisation Name:
Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development
Contact Address:
Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662
Copyright:
Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development (WIHRD)
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