This study aimed to explore the association of HBV on pregnancy outcomes in marginalized, low-income populations on the Myanmar-Thailand border.
HBsAg positive (+) point of care rapid detection tests results were confirmed by immunoassays. Researchers included women with a verified HBsAg status, HIV- and syphilis-negative at first antenatal care screening, singleton fetus, and known pregnancy outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between the HBV group pregnancy outcome and comorbidity.
Most women were tested, 15,046/15,114 (99.6%) for HBV. The inclusion criteria were not met for 4,089/15,046 women due mainly to unavailability of pregnancy outcome and non-confirmation of HBsAg+. In evaluable women 687/11,025 were HBsAg+, with 476/11,025 HBsAg+/HBeAg- and 211/11,025 were HBsAg+/HBeAg+. The cesarean section rate was low at 522/8,963. No significant associations were observed between pregnancy comorbidities or adverse pregnancy outcomes and HBV status.
The results highlight the disease burden of HBV in women on the Myanmar-Thailand border and support original reports of a lack of significant associations with HBsAg+ irrespective of HBeAg status for comorbidity pregnancy outcomes in deliveries supervised by skilled birth attendants.
Reference: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/2019/8435019/
