Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening programme in pregnant women and the hepatitis B prevention programme in neonates of HBsAg-positive mothers from October 1989 to December 1991.
Design: Retrospective.
Setting: Amsterdam Public Health Service, the Netherlands.
Method: Analysis of the data routinely collected from pregnant women and neonates of these women and calculation of the protective efficiency of this immunisation programme.
Results: In 1990, 79% and in 1991, 91% of all pregnant women were screened for HBsAg. The overall prevalence was 1.2% in 1990 as in 1991. Of the HBsAg-positive women 96% originated from countries where hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to be endemic. At the age of ten months all infants had received passive and active immunisation. The anti-HBs titre was 10-50 IU/l in 8 (7%) infants, > 50 IU/l in 94 (88%), 3 were HBsAg-negative with no information on the anti-HBs titre and in 2 HBsAg was present. The protective efficiency of the immunisation schedule was 94% in children born of e-antigen-positive and 93% in children born of e-antigen-negative mothers.
Conclusion: Active surveillance and intense follow-up are essential in achieving high coverage rates in screening of pregnant women and in immunising neonates of HBsAg-positive mothers.