Reinforcing the Value of Screening for Hepatitis B During Pregnancy

Testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV) early in pregnancy, administering the first dose of neonatal hepatitis B vaccine before discharge, and providing additional hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis to infants born to women who are chronic hepatitis B carriers has reduced the burden of hepatitis B infection in the U.S. by 90% while lowering rates of perinatal transmission to <1% in appropriately managed pregnancies.

Based on a review of recent data, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has reaffirmed their 2009 recommendation to screen all pregnant women for HBV infection at the first prenatal visit. The panel also recommends tenofovir as the antiviral of choice in women with chronic hepatitis B and HBV levels >200,000 IU/mL.