Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among women at reproductive age at a German university hospital.

BACKGROUND

Mother to infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents a major factor in maintaining chronic infection and depends on the degree of maternal infectivity status.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in women at reproductive age admitted to the Department of Gynaecology at a German university hospital.

STUDY DESIGN

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 5518 women at reproductive age was examined, HBsAg-positive samples were tested for additional HBV markers to verify the infection status.

RESULTS

Out of 5518 samples from women at reproductive age, 88 women (1.59%) were positive for HBsAg and 7 of these HBV-positive women (7.95%) were additionally positive for HBeAg. The majority of the study population were German citizens, however most HBV infected persons originated from countries with a high HBV prevalence. The HBV seroprevalence in our study group is about two times higher compared to the average seroprevalence in the German citizen adult population, thus probably resulting in an underestimation of the infection rate in a multinational setting.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening for HBsAg during pregnancy is still necessary and important for reduction of perinatal HBV transmission even in countries with low HBV prevalence.