Applied Medical Research. 2021;
8(1):(93-176)
Hepatitis B in Pregnant Females. A Cross Sectional Study in Nile Delta, Egypt
Mahmoud Elkadeem and Ramy Elnaggar
Abstract
Background & Aims: Hepatitis B infection is a worldwide health problem. Egypt classified
as an area of intermediate endemicity. Hepatitis B has high materno-fetal transmission. The
aim of this study was to assess hepatitis B virus infection in Egyptian pregnant females in
Nile Delta as regards risk factors and magnitude of the problem.
Subjects and Methods: This cross sectional study was performed on 1948 pregnant females.
Historical and sociodemographic data were collected through short simple questionnaire.
They were screened for hepatitis B surface antigens. Positive ones were subjected to test
hepatitis B e antigen and viral load by real time polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Thirty patients (1.54%) were hepatitis B surface antigen positive. Only two of them
(6.67%) were hepatitis B e antigen positive with high viral load. Others were hepatitis B e
antigen negative and low viral load. Family history of hepatitis B, occupation, age more than
27 years, and history of surgical or dental procedures were significant risk factors associated
with hepatitis B acquisition.
Conclusion: Screening for hepatitis B is important as a part of antenatal care mainly in the
presence of risk factors to follow up mother, and protect fetus so as to prevent wide spread
of hepatitis B in Egypt.
