skip to main content

Hepatitis B in pregnancy — DRCOG MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardAntenatal CareHepatitis B in pregnancyDRCOG

At booking, a woman’s hepatitis B surface-antigen result is positive. What is the most appropriate next step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: AArrange viral-load, e-marker testing and specialist maternity assessment

The best answer is “Arrange viral-load, e-marker testing and specialist maternity assessment”. A positive booking result requires prompt confirmatory and infectivity assessment, including hepatitis-B e markers and HBV DNA, through the maternity and specialist pathway. These findings determine maternal follow-up, possible third-trimester antiviral therapy and neonatal vaccine with or without HBIG. Mode of birth and feeding are not dictated by the result alone.

Reference: NHS Infectious diseases in pregnancy screening programme handbook: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infectious-diseases-in-pregnancy-screening-programme-handbook/nhs-infectious-diseases-in-pregnancy-screening-programme-handbook