Hepatitis B Prevalence in Pregnant Women at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B carrier in pregnant women and the per centage of newborn immunoprophylaxis.

Material and Method After informed consent, 5 ml of each patient's blood was drawn and then tested for both HBs and HBe antigen with the IMx, HBsAg and HBe 2 assays (the third generation Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay, Abbott Laboratories USA). The patients were then informed of the result within 1 week.

Main measures The prevalence of HBs and HBe antigen including percentage of newborns with HBV immunoprophylaxis . Result There were 52 HBs Ag carrier mothers with only 19 positive HBe Ag (36.5%). In this population, the prevalence of HBs and HBe Ag carrier were 7.6 % and 2.79 % respectively. The positive rate of HBs Ag is the highest in 21-30 year-old maternal age groups(5.29%). For newborn immunoprophylaxis, all were given HBV vaccination but only 26 out of 52 (50%) received immunoglobulin whereas 23 did not receive any. For the three remainders, two were delivered at other hospitals , the other was hydrops fetalis.

Conclusion The prevalence of hepatitis B carrier mother in this study is 7.6 % the same as the previous studies. The immunoprophylaxis efficacy of vaccination alone comparing with immunoglobulin plus vaccination needs further study.