Risk of Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in Jordan

[摘要] Objectives:To determine the risk of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Jordan.Methods: Plasma samples from 1000 pregnant Jordanian women were screened by ELISA for HBV markers(HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and anti-HBs).Results:HBsAg and HBeAg were detected in 4.3% and 0.1% of the pregnant women, respectively. The overallprevalence of antibodies was 6%, 11.1% and 7.5% for anti-HBe, anti-HBc and anti-HBs, respectively. Womenwere assignedto four groups according to the serological patternsofHBV markers: susceptible (85.9%), with acuteinfection (2.9%), with chronic infection (1.4%) and previously infected (9.8%). Most women were at the thirdtrimester of pregnancy, therefore women with acute and chronic hepatitis at this gestational age were at risk oftransmitting HBV infection to their newborns. Women who belonged to the low socio-economic class wereat higher risk of HBV infection.Conclusions:Based on the results, we recommend screening women for HBV during pregnancy in order toidentify HBV carriers. All newborns born to carriers should be vaccinated immediately after birth, both passivelyand actively. Also vaccination of HBV seronegative pregnant women is recommended.

[学科分类] 妇产科学