O-1 SEROPREVALENCE AND MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS B AND C VIRUSES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN A MATERNAL AND CHILDREN HOSPITAL FROM THE PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES

Introduction and Objectives

The WHO proposed to eliminate viral hepatitis by the year 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, we must evaluate the seroprevalence of these infections in different populations. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) among pregnant women and mother-to-child transmission in a maternal hospital.

Materials and Methods

We conducted an observational, prospective and consecutive study including pregnant women from San Isidro Maternal and Children Hospital whose births occurred between 05/01/2019 and 04/30/2021. In all patients HBsAg and anti-HCV were assessed during the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy together with HIV. In the case of presenting HBsAg+, anti-HBcIgG was performed on the same sample followed by HBV-DNA PCR. In the case of presenting anti-HCV+, a confirmatory test was performed with PCR HCV-RNA. Neonates of HBsAg+ or HCV+ were follow-up for 3 years.

Results

2762 births were included during the period under study. Five (0.18%) HBsAg+ pregnant women were identified, median age was 25 years (range 17-36), of which only 1 had anti-HBcIgG+. Given the suspicion of chronic HBV and the delay in obtaining the HBV-DNA results, treatment with tenofovir was started. In successive controls, no chronic HBV infection was diagnosed in neonates. Anti-HCV+ was detected in 8 (0.29%) patients, with a median age of 29 years (range 19-38 years), of which only one patient presented detectable HCV-RNA, genotype 4. This patient had a diagnosis of HCV chronic prior to pregnancy and her son presented anti-HCV- at age 3. Finally, one patient with HBsAg+ and another with anti-HCV+, but negative viral loads presented HIV+.

Conclusions

The gestation period is an excellent opportunity to carry out health checks. During the studied period, the seroprevalence of HBsAg+ and anti-HCV+ was very low. These types of interventions are essential to achieve the objectives set by the WHO.