Screening for chronic hepatitis B infection is NOT recommended for which group?

Screening for chronic hepatitis B infection is NOT recommended for which group?

• A. All newborns
• B. Adults with risk factors
• C. Pregnant women
• D. Healthcare workers

Answer: (A)

Screening for chronic hepatitis B is most effective when focused on groups where a positive result will change management or prevent transmission. Pregnant women are routinely screened so that infants at risk can receive vaccination and, if the mother is positive, appropriate perinatal prophylaxis. Adults with risk factors are screened to identify infection and link people to care. Healthcare workers are screened due to possible occupational exposure and to prevent spread in healthcare settings. By contrast, screening all newborns is not recommended because universal newborn testing adds little to prevention beyond identifying infected mothers and providing infant prophylaxis; the infant's risk is largely driven by the mother's status, and resources are better spent on maternal screening and targeted infant prophylaxis.

Screening for chronic hepatitis B is most effective when focused on groups where a positive result will change management or prevent transmission. Pregnant women are routinely screened so that infants at risk can receive vaccination and, if the mother is positive, appropriate perinatal prophylaxis. Adults with risk factors are screened to identify infection and link people to care. Healthcare workers are screened due to possible occupational exposure and to prevent spread in healthcare settings. By contrast, screening all newborns is not recommended because universal newborn testing adds little to prevention beyond identifying infected mothers and providing infant prophylaxis; the infant's risk is largely driven by the mother's status, and resources are better spent on maternal screening and targeted infant prophylaxis.