Final Recommendation Statement:

Screening for Hepatitis B in Pregnant Women

Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released today a final recommendation statement on screening for hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women. All pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B infection at their first prenatal visit to prevent infection in newborns. To view the recommendation, the evidence on which it is based, and a summary for clinicians, please go here. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the July 23, 2019 online issue of JAMA.

The Final Recommendation Statement Is Available

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY

See the full statement

Population

Recommendation

Grade

Pregnant women

The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit.

WHY THIS MATTERS

“Screening for hepatitis B in pregnant people can protect babies from lifelong chronic conditions, such as liver cancer or liver disease,” says Task Force member Melissa A. Simon, M.D., M.P.H. “This is essential because the primary source of hepatitis B in children is transmission at birth.”