HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Christian, S. S. Articles by Duff, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Christian, S. S. Articles by Duff, P.

Is universal screening for hepatitis B infection warranted in all prenatal populations?

From the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic hepatitis B infection in a low-risk, closely monitored population. At the time of their first prenatal evaluation, a cohort of active-duty military personnel and their dependents underwent screening for hepatitis B surface antigen. Ten of 1520 women (0.66%) tested positive. All of these women were Asians and would have been identified under a selective screening protocol. None of the ten seropositive patients had other risk factors for hepatitis B infection. We conclude that in this type of population, universal screening for hepatitis B is not cost-effective. Selective screening for high-risk patients would appear to be more appropriate.