Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Feb;49(2):322-328.

HBsAg screening test of Korean pregnant women during antenatal period

• Lee HJ
• Seo K
• Park SK
• Kim YT
• Park O
• Hwang JY
• Cho HB

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and improve the method in management of HBsAg positive mothers in Korea by the screening time and method.
METHODS
From January 2003 to March 2003, questionnaires were obtained using mail or telephone from total 848 hospitals or clinics handling more than 100 deliveries in year 2001 and 341 of them (40.2%) returned their answers. 279,734 out of 507,151 (55.2%) were investigated in number of delivery cases. The screening time and method for HBsAg in antenatal period were analyzed.
RESULTS
Most of hospitals tested for HBV infectivity more than once during antenatal period. 99.1% of hospitals tested for HBsAg and 96.1% of hospitals tested for HBsAb. 87.1% of pregnant women were tested for HBsAg on the first visit. HBsAb was tested at the same time with HBsAg in 96.2%. 41% of hospitals repeated test in third trimester for those with negative HBsAg and 54% of HBsAg positive mothers were retested in third trimester. For those who admitted only for delivery, 45.9% of hospitals tested for HBsAg irrespective of their history. Clinics used RPHA for test method in 38.1% which was higher in proportion compare to hospitals.
CONCLUSION
HBV infectivity must be screened in all pregnant women. Repeating test in third trimester may be unnecessary and a policy should be made for those who admit for delivery alone. EIA method is recommended instead of RPHA method.

Keyword

HBsAg; Screening test; Pregnancy; Antenatal period

MeSH Terms

Female
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens*
Humans
Korea
Mass Screening*
Mothers
Postal Service
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Pregnant Women*
Surveys and Questionnaire
Telephone
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens