Pattern of hepatitis virus infection among pregnant women and their newborns at the Women's Health Center of Assiut University, Upper Egypt.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and rate of vertical transmission of HBV and/or HCV infection among pregnant women in Upper Egypt, and assess the preventive efficacy of administering hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccine to newborns on their carrier status at 8 months.

Methods: Five hundred pregnant women were screened for HCV and HBV serum markers by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Those testing positive had their status confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and their levels of liver enzymes and interferon gamma were evaluated. The newborns of HBV-positive women received hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccine and were followed up to assess the rates of vertical transmission and carrier status among the newborns.

Results: Of the 500 pregnant women, 6.4% were HCV positive, 4.0% were HBV positive, and 1.0% were both. The vertical transmission rate was 3.1% for HCV, 30.0% for HBV, and 20.0% for a combined infection. The carrier rate of the infants at the end of their eighth month was 10.8% for those with HCV and 8% for those with HBV.

Conclusion: Infection with HBV and/or HCV is highly prevalent among pregnant women in Upper Egypt. The rate of vertical transmission was also high. Administering hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin resulted in a 92% reduction in carrier status among newborns.