Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during pregnancy is highly important as it can recognize women whose infants are at risk of perinatal transmission. It has been estimated that prevalence of maternal HBV infection is 85.8 cases per 100 000 deliveries from 1998 to 2011. There are multiple guidelines for universal infant HBV vaccination, however, rates of maternal HBV infection have increased annually by 5.5% since 1998. Moreover, researches demonstrate that children infected with HBV during infancy or childhood are more susceptible to develop chronic infection. Tis chronic HBV infection is associated with an increased long-term morbidity and mortality by predisposing infected persons to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. 

The goal of the current study was to update the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for HBV infection in pregnant women. The USPSTF gathered a reaffirmation evidence update to discover significant new evidence in order to revise the prior recommendation. The updated evidences focussed on the efficacy and potential adverse effects of screening and case management to avoid perinatal transmission.

Prior recommendation by the USPSTF showed strong evidence that serologic testing for hepatitis B surface antigen appropriately diagnose HBV infection. Moreover, foundational evidence and observational studies of case management programs suggested that interventions are effective for averting perinatal transmission. In addition, it has been recommended that over time, perinatal transmission has reduced among women and infants enrolled in case management, which in turns offers an overall remarkable health benefit.

Therefore, it can be inferred that the USPSTF revalidates its previous evidences and supports the benefit of screening for HBV infection in pregnant women. The current recommendations suggested by USPSTF states screening for HBV infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. 

Source: Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2019 Jul 23;322(4):349-354.