Study shows many women with hepatitis B do not receive proper healthcare

A recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center indicated that many minority women living in New York have chronic hepatitis B infections but do not receive adequate medical information, follow-up testing or referral, which may put them and their children at risk for health complications.

The investigation involving pregnant women with hepatitis B showed that although only one infant contracted the disease in utero, a total of 90 percent of the mothers did not receive education about their infection, further laboratory testing or subsequent care.

"Prenatal screening is a golden opportunity to identify chronic hepatitis B infection in young mothers at risk for life-threatening complications, including liver failure and liver cancer. We need to use prenatal testing to engage patients with intervention and prevention of future morbidity and mortality," said lead researcher Blaire E. Burman.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4,500 cases of hepatitis B are reported in the U.S. annually. The disease can be spread through unprotected sexual intercourse or exposure to infected blood.