The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology, cilt.30, sa.3, ss.260-265, 2019 (SCI-Expanded)
ABSTRACT
Background/Aims: The vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in- fections are essential public health problems. In this study, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of the aforementioned infections among pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: This study was done retrospectively on pregnant women who presented for antenatal follow-up and delivery be- tween 2013 and 2016. Data were collected from the hospital’s electronic health records and patient files. Blood samples were analyzed at the microbiology laboratory of the hospital. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV titers were tested using the chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay method (Architect, Abbott Laboratories, USA).
Results: HBsAg and anti-HBs levels were tested in 35,295 pregnant women aged 18-45 years. The HBsAg and anti-HBs levels were positive in 425 (1.2%) and 9583 (27.7%) patients, respectively. From 2013 to 2016, the HBV carrier rates have continuously decreased from 1.4% to 0.8%, whereas the anti-HBs positivity has increased from 25.4% to 30.2%. Anti-HCV was detected in 6 of the 9709 (0.06%) patients. All the 7113 pregnant women screened for HIV showed negative results.
Conclusion: Hepatitis B carrier rates among pregnant women gradually decreased with a simultaneous increase in the immunity rates. HCV seroprevalence was low and HIV positivity was not encountered in the study population.
Keywords: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, pregnancy, seroprevalence