Recorded presentation

Miriam L. Cremer, MD, MPH¹, Judith Sackoff, PhD², Martina Frandina, MD², and Melissa Pfeiffer². (1) Women and Children's Hospital, University of Southern California, 1240 North Mission Road, Room L1009, Los Angeles, CA 91030, 323.226.3136, mlcremer@hotmail.com, (2) Department of OB/GYN, NYU Downtown Hosptital, 170 William Street, New York, NY 10038

Objectives: To assess the acceptance of INH treatment to tuberculin skin test positive (TST+) women in the antepartum versus postpartum period.

Methods: This study was conducted in a small community hospital in New York City that primarily serves an immigrant population at high-risk for tuberculosis. Most of these women have immigrated in the last 5 years and have a TST (+) rate of 60-65% One hundred twenty charts from women whose first prenatal visit was in 2000 were reviewed. Data was collected regarding demographics, TB history, TB risk factors, TB work-up in clinic, INH use, liver function tests, acceptance and completion of treatment. The testing/treatment protocol was to refer TST+ women to the internal medicine clinic for evaluation and treatment postpartum. We also reviewed the charts of 109 women who began prenatal care after the protocol was changed to offer INH in the antepartum period free of charge to eligible women.

Results: Of the TST+ women in the post partum group, 81% were referred to medicine for INH treatment, 64% initiated treatment and 14% completed treatment. Preliminary data on the antepartum group: 44% initiated treatment, 54% of patients have declined treatment, and 2% were not offered it.

Conclusions: It appears that acceptance of INH treatment is higher postpartum. However, 44% of women do agree to begin antepartum treatment. Given that the rates of active tuberculosis are highest in immigrant populations, we must continue to seek methods of effective treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the impact of latent tuberculosis infection in the Chinese immigrant population.
• Describe the benefits of prenatal vs. postpartum treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a high-risk population.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Prenatal Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation