Test ID: PHSP
Prenatal Hepatitis Evaluation
Useful For 
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Screening pregnant women for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
Determining the level of infectivity in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that is endemic throughout the world. After a course of acute illness, HBV persists in about 10% of patients who were infected during adulthood. Some carriers are asymptomatic; others may develop chronic liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
HBV is spread primarily through percutaneous contact with infected blood products (ie, blood transfusion, sharing of needles by drug addicts). The virus is found in virtually every type of human body fluid and also is spread through oral and genital contact.
HBV can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery through contact with blood and vaginal secretions, but it is not commonly transmitted transplacentally. Infection of the infant can occur if the mother is a chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carrier or has an acute HBV infection at the time of delivery. Transmission is rare if an acute infection occurs in either the first or second trimester of pregnancy.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the first serologic marker appearing in the serum 6 to 16 weeks following hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A positive result for HBsAg is diagnostic of acute or chronic HBV infection. In acute cases, HBsAg usually disappears 1 to 2 months after the onset of symptoms. Persistence of HBsAg for more than 6 months indicates development of either a chronic carrier state or chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) appears with the resolution of HBV infection after the disappearance of HBsAg.
Hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) appears at approximately the same time as HBsAg and indicates that the virus is replicating and the individual is infectious. Appearance of hepatitis Be antibody (anti-HBe) after the disappearance of HBsAg and HBeAg usually indicates recovery and loss of infectivity.
If HBsAg is positive and the patient's condition warrants, consider testing for hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) IgM, HBV-DNA, and anti-hepatitis delta virus (HDV) to evaluate viral replication and infectivity.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test results should be reported by the patient care provider to the State Department of Heath as required by law in some states.
Assay performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics:
-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin level of >20 mg/dL)
-Grossly lipemic (triolein level of >3,000 mg/dL)
-Grossly hemolyzed (hemoglobin level of >500 mg/dL)
-Contain particulate matter
-Cadaveric specimens
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Vranckx R, Alisjahbana A, Meheus A: Hepatitis B virus vaccination and antenatal transmission of HBV markers to neonates. J Viral Hepat 1999;6:135-139
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