Prevalence of HBsAg among parturient pregnant women in northwestern Romania

The objective of this study was to determine the hepatitis Bsurface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence in pregnant women in northwesternRomania in order to be able to formulate an adequate preventionpolicy on perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus. Across-sectional serological survey was carried out among parturientwomen in 18 hospitals in this area in September 1991. Out of2,354 parturient women, 90 (3.8%) were positive for HBsAg. Theprevalence did not differ significantly by age, parity, ruralversus urban residence or the district of residence. The prevalencedid differ significantly according to the level of medical care.Women who gave birth in level 3 and 4 hospitals had a higherprevalence (5.1%) than those women who gave birth in level 1and 2 hospitals (3.0%), supporting the assumption that iatrogenicinfection has played an important role in the spread of hepatitisB virus (HBV) infection in Romania. Incorporation of universalvaccination with hepatitis B vaccine into the routine childhoodimmunization programme in Romania would be the best strategyto prevent perinatal transmission of HBV. Further studies areneeded to validate the assumption that iatrogenic transmissionhas played an important role in the spread of HBV infectionin Romania.