An Epidemiological Assessment of the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women
Authors/Creators
- 1. Tutor, Department of Microbiology, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, Gaya, Bihar, India
- 2. Tutor, Department of pathology, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, Gaya, Bihar, India
- 3. Assistant Professor and HOD, Department of Microbiology, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, Gaya, Bihar, India
Description
Aim: To investigate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women receiving treatment
at a tertiary hospital in Bihar
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Anugrah Narayan Magadh
Medical College, Gaya, Bihar, India from Jan 2018 to December 2018. Every pregnant woman coming for
antenatal care at the study location was screened for Hepatitis B virus according to national guidelines. All
pregnant women were evaluated for serum HBsAg using ELISA (Merilisa kit) and Rapid immunographic test.
(Reckon Kit). This retrospective study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of the HBsAg.
Result: Total 4131 antenatal women were screened for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen. A total of 21 cases were
found to have HBsAg positive out of 4131 who underwent testing, indicating a prevalence rate of 0.50%. Such
low prevalence is suggestive of increased awareness of people towards vaccination and routine antenatal
screening. The mean age of HBsAg positive pregnant women was 26.23 years. Four subjects (19%) were from
rural area while 17 (81%) were residing in urban area. None of these antenatal women had HBV-HCV or HBVHIV co-infection. Most common age group with HBV infection was 25 – 30 years, with 21 subjects indicating a
prevalence rate of 0.50%.
Conclusion: The risk of chronic infection in Hepatitis B is more if the infection is acquired in early age. The risk
of chronicity is >90% in newborn. Neonates who acquire infection from their mother during pregnancy have
higher chances of becoming chronic carrier. Such babies develop chronic liver disease at a younger age and
represent the most important reservoir of infection in the community.
Abstract (English)
Aim: To investigate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women receiving treatment
at a tertiary hospital in Bihar
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Anugrah Narayan Magadh
Medical College, Gaya, Bihar, India from Jan 2018 to December 2018. Every pregnant woman coming for
antenatal care at the study location was screened for Hepatitis B virus according to national guidelines. All
pregnant women were evaluated for serum HBsAg using ELISA (Merilisa kit) and Rapid immunographic test.
(Reckon Kit). This retrospective study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of the HBsAg.
Result: Total 4131 antenatal women were screened for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen. A total of 21 cases were
found to have HBsAg positive out of 4131 who underwent testing, indicating a prevalence rate of 0.50%. Such
low prevalence is suggestive of increased awareness of people towards vaccination and routine antenatal
screening. The mean age of HBsAg positive pregnant women was 26.23 years. Four subjects (19%) were from
rural area while 17 (81%) were residing in urban area. None of these antenatal women had HBV-HCV or HBVHIV co-infection. Most common age group with HBV infection was 25 – 30 years, with 21 subjects indicating a
prevalence rate of 0.50%.
Conclusion: The risk of chronic infection in Hepatitis B is more if the infection is acquired in early age. The risk
of chronicity is >90% in newborn. Neonates who acquire infection from their mother during pregnancy have
higher chances of becoming chronic carrier. Such babies develop chronic liver disease at a younger age and
represent the most important reservoir of infection in the community.
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IJCPR,Vol16,Issue2,Article79.pdf
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