Abstract
Objectives: Information regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency (HIV) viruses in Saudi pregnant women is either lacking or outdated. The aims of this study were to determine the current prevalence of these viruses among Saudi pregnant women and to estimate the rates of vertical transmission.
Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study
Setting: Antenatal clinic at a university hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Subjects: Three thousand two hundred and forty-six Saudi pregnant women seen in antenatal clinics between July, 2010 and June, 2011
Main Outcome Measures: Laboratory results of HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV antibodies in all subjects and vertical transmission rates to newborns of seropositive mothers
Results: The mean age was 31 years (+/- 6.5 years). HBsAg was detected in 1.08% out of the 3,242 tested women. Two babies (6.25%) out of the 32 live tested neonates were positive. Only two (0.07%) women out of 3,051 were positive for anti-HCV antibodies with no vertical transmission. 3119 (96.1%) women were tested for HIV antibodies and none were found to be positive.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg among Saudi pregnant women (1.08%) is lower than previously reported. However, antenatal testing for HBV is still warranted. Universal antenatal screening of HCV or HIV in Saudi Arabia may not be justifiable due to the very low prevalence of these viruses among pregnant women.