Seroprevalence and HBeAg status of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during pregnancy significantly risks mother-to-child transmission, particularly among HBeAg-positive mothers requiring routine antenatal screening. This hospital-based cross-sectional study assessed HBsAg and HBeAg seroprevalence among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic from January to December 2023. Serum samples underwent ELISA testing for HBsAg, with HBeAg evaluation for all positive cases, revealing overall HBsAg seroprevalence of 2.0%. Among HBsAg-positive women, 33.3% demonstrated HBeAg positivity, identifying high-risk cases for perinatal transmission. These findings advance maternal health protocols by confirming the necessity of targeted antenatal screening and preventive strategies to minimize HBV vertical transmission.