ABSTRACT
We reviewed our practice of universal tuberculosis (TB) screening in an at-risk pregnant
population with regards to utility and patient compliance. The Gouverneur Healthcare
Services prenatal database was analyzed for compliance with TB screening. Age, ethnicity,
country of origin, and education level were also analyzed. Of 4049 patients, 95.0%
were compliant with their purified protein derivative (PPD) testing. Universal screening
identified 1935 (50.4%) PPD+ patients, with chest X-rays (CXR) available for 95.1%.
Only one patient had a CXR consistent with active TB, although sputum testing was
negative for acid-fast bacilli. Asian women were more likely to be PPD-compliant (adjusted
odds ratio [aOR]: 4.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34 to 10.45). Similarly, PPD+
Asian women were more likely to be compliant with CXR (aOR: 12.67, 95% CI: 3.44 to
46.7). U.S.-born women were significantly less likely to be compliant with PPD (aOR:
0.44, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.64) or with CXR (aOR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.61). Universal
prenatal TB screening is associated with excellent compliance rates and is an effective
way to identify a high prevalence of latent TB, but not active disease.
KEYWORDS
Tuberculosis screening - latent tuberculosis - PPD
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Nadav SchwartzM.D.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU School of Medicine
550 First Ave, NBV-9E2, New York, NY 10016
Email: nadavmd@hotmail.com