[Incidence of hepatitis B markers in pregnancy. Comparison with the serological tests legally required for maternal care].

In a prospective study (June 1981 to October 1985) the prevalence of positive hepatitis B findings was recorded for 15957 pregnant women, in addition to the usual legally required serological tests for syphilis, newborn haemolytic disease and rubella immunity. A positive TPHA test was obtained in 69 (0.4%). No rubella antibodies were detected in 1604 (10.1%). Antibodies to neonatal haemolytic disease were found in 65 pregnant women (0.4%) and HBs antigen in 180 (1.1%). Among 13,752 German pregnant women 81 were HBs antigen-positive (0.6%), among 763 pregnant women from southern Europe 29 (3.8%), among 1159 from the Near East the rate was 5.1%, and among 170 from the Far East or other non-European countries it was 6.5%. By extending the required tests during pregnancy to those for HBs antigen, hepatitis B carriers could be identified and maternofetal transmission of the disease prevented by simultaneous passive-active immunization of the newborn.