Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnancy: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement U.S. Preventive Services Task Force* Description: Reaffirmation of the 2004 U.S. Preventive Services

Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for hepatitis B virus hepatitis B virus infection in pregnancy. Methods: The USPSTF performed a brief literature update, includ-ing a search for new and substantial evidence on the benefits and harms of screening pregnant women for hepatitis B virus infection. Finding: The net benefit of screening continues to be well established. Recommendation: Screen for hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. (Grade A recommendation.) Ann Intern Med. 2009;150:869-873. www.annals.org For author affiliation, see end of text. * For a list of the members of the USPSTF, see the Appendix (available at www.annals.org). The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) makesrecommendations about preventive care services for pa-tients without recognized signs or symptoms of the target condition. It bases its recommendations on a systematic review of the evidence of the benefits and harms and an assessment of the net benefit of the service. The USPSTF recognizes that clinical or policy decisions involve more considerations than this body of evidence alone. Clinicians and policymakers should understand the evidence but individualize decision making to the specific patient or situation. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION AND EVIDENCE The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. (This is a grade A recommendation.) See the Figure for a summary of the recommendation and suggestions for clinical practice