The prevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody among 158 pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic in a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria was investigated. Sera from pregnant women were tested by ELISA for the presence of HBsAg and HCV antibody. Of the 158 serum samples tested, 25 (15.8 %) and 4 (2.5 %) were positive for the presence of HBsAg and HCV antibody respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher (p<0.05) than HCV infection. No mixed infection with the two virus strains was observed among the pregnant women. In addition no age difference was noted in the prevalence of infections with both virus strains among the pregnant women. However, all the HCV and most of the HBsAg positive women belong to the child bearing age (20 – 39 years) who are matured and sexually active. The implication of hepatitis virus infections of pregnant women for foetus and offsprings are discussed from the epidemiological point of view. The need to develop rapid diagnostic assay for the detection of HBsAg and HCV as well as routine vaccination of offsprings of positive mothers are emphasised.

        Key words: HBsAg, HCV, pregnant women