Maternal & Newborn Atlas
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Screening for infections in pregnancy (syphilis, hepatitis B, bacteriuria)

Early in pregnancy, blood and urine tests look for infections that can harm a mother or her baby. US guidance (USPSTF) advises screening all pregnant women for syphilis early in pregnancy, screening for hepatitis B at the first prenatal visit, and screening pregnant people for bacteria in the urine without symptoms (asymptomatic bacteriuria) with a urine culture. Untreated syphilis can pass to the baby and is linked with stillbirth and newborn death. This page covers these three infections only.

  • Intervention
  • In this atlas

Overview

Technical summary

Three separate USPSTF statements, each with its own population and grade, recorded as claims: syphilis (reaffirmed 2018, A), hepatitis B (reaffirmed 2019, A; PubMed links an erratum that was not read) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (2019, B for pregnant persons). The bacteriuria statement also recommends against screening in nonpregnant adults, outside this page. The atlas has no separate records for the three infections yet, so there are no clinical links from this page to conditions. Other infections screened in pregnancy, such as HIV, are not covered.

About this intervention

Type
Test
Mechanism
Not reported

Claims and evidence

Context Pregnant persons without symptoms of a urinary tract infection (USPSTF 2019 bacteriuria screening)

Recipient
Maternal
Population
Pregnant persons of any age without signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
Care setting
Not stated in the PubMed abstract
Geography
United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
Life stage
Pregnancy
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not applicable (recommendation context)
Eligibility: 1 inclusion criterion; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
  • Pregnant persons of any age without signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection
Excluded
  • Not stated in the PubMed abstract

  • Recommendation Guidance Certainty not assessed

    The USPSTF recommends screening pregnant persons for asymptomatic bacteriuria using urine culture. It grades this a B recommendation and concludes with moderate certainty that screening for and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant persons has a moderate net benefit in reducing perinatal complications.

    Applies to Maternal
    • Pregnant persons of any age without signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
    • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
    • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
    • Pregnancy
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
    Certainty method
    Not assessed
    Limitations
    The same USPSTF statement recommends against screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in nonpregnant adults (a D recommendation); that is outside this claim. The abstract finds the harms of treatment (adverse effects of antibiotics and changes to the microbiome) to be at least small in magnitude. The PubMed abstract prints each grade after its statement, so the B appears at the start of the next sentence. USPSTF certainty levels are the task force’s own wording and not a GRADE rating.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (7)

    1. Supports Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, RECOMMENDATIONS, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2019 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, RECOMMENDATIONS, sentence 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2019 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Supports Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2019 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Background Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, POPULATION, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Population, harms of treatment and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    5. Background Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT, sentence 3
      How it applies
      Population, harms of treatment and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    6. Background Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT, sentence 5
      How it applies
      Population, harms of treatment and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    7. Background Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-24 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.13069 · PMID: 31550038

      Locator
      Abstract, IMPORTANCE, sentence 2
      How it applies
      Population, harms of treatment and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      d475c432e46d48469278279504d9e7b7fcf19b2a69d977e4702b6d5481bf2caf
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Context Pregnant women (USPSTF 2018 syphilis screening)

Recipient
Maternal
Population
All pregnant women.
Care setting
Not stated in the PubMed abstract
Geography
United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
Life stage
Pregnancy, early
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not applicable (recommendation context)
Eligibility: 1 inclusion criterion; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
  • All pregnant women
Excluded
  • Not stated in the PubMed abstract

  • Recommendation Guidance Certainty not assessed

    The USPSTF recommends early screening for syphilis infection in all pregnant women. It grades this an A recommendation. In 2018 it reaffirmed its earlier conclusion that there is convincing evidence that screening for syphilis infection in pregnant women provides substantial benefit, because effective antibiotic treatment can prevent congenital syphilis and significantly decrease adverse pregnancy outcomes, with small associated harms.

    Applies to Maternal
    • All pregnant women.
    • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
    • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
    • Pregnancy, early
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
    Certainty method
    Not assessed
    Limitations
    This was a reaffirmation based on an evidence update, not a new full review. Only the PubMed abstract was read. The abstract does not name the screening tests.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (5)

    1. Supports Screening for Syphilis Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2018-09-04 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.11785 · PMID: 30193283

      Locator
      Abstract, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2018 reaffirmation.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      03ab9b6c652b4643a9f623a2864d08fa766b4a723ae9b22733b61b6d352fb778
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Screening for Syphilis Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2018-09-04 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.11785 · PMID: 30193283

      Locator
      Abstract, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION, sentence 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2018 reaffirmation.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      03ab9b6c652b4643a9f623a2864d08fa766b4a723ae9b22733b61b6d352fb778
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Background Screening for Syphilis Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2018-09-04 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.11785 · PMID: 30193283

      Locator
      Abstract, FINDINGS, sentence 2
      How it applies
      Findings of the evidence update and its objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      03ab9b6c652b4643a9f623a2864d08fa766b4a723ae9b22733b61b6d352fb778
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Background Screening for Syphilis Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2018-09-04 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.11785 · PMID: 30193283

      Locator
      Abstract, FINDINGS, sentence 3
      How it applies
      Findings of the evidence update and its objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      03ab9b6c652b4643a9f623a2864d08fa766b4a723ae9b22733b61b6d352fb778
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    5. Background Screening for Syphilis Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2018-09-04 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.11785 · PMID: 30193283

      Locator
      Abstract, OBJECTIVE, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Findings of the evidence update and its objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      03ab9b6c652b4643a9f623a2864d08fa766b4a723ae9b22733b61b6d352fb778
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Context Pregnant women at the first prenatal visit (USPSTF 2019 hepatitis B screening)

Recipient
Maternal
Population
Pregnant women, screened at their first prenatal visit.
Care setting
Not stated in the PubMed abstract
Geography
United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
Life stage
Pregnancy, first prenatal visit
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not applicable (recommendation context)
Eligibility: 1 inclusion criterion; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
  • Pregnant women at their first prenatal visit
Excluded
  • Not stated in the PubMed abstract

  • Recommendation Guidance Certainty not assessed

    The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. It grades this an A recommendation. In 2019 it reaffirmed its previous conclusion that there is convincing evidence that screening for HBV infection in pregnant women provides substantial benefit. The abstract says interventions are effective for preventing perinatal transmission.

    Source problem. A cited source is corrected. Check the sources before relying on this claim.

    Applies to Maternal
    • Pregnant women, screened at their first prenatal visit.
    • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
    • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
    • Pregnancy, first prenatal visit
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
    Certainty method
    Not assessed
    Limitations
    This was a reaffirmation based on an evidence update. PubMed links a published erratum (PMID 31528989, titled Incorrect Language in Figure and Text); its PubMed and PMC records hold only the title and no correction text (the correction is in the journal PDF, which was not fetched), so whether it changes anything in this claim is not known. Only the PubMed abstract of the statement was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (6)

    1. Supports Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. PubMed links a published erratum (PMID 31528989, titled Incorrect Language in Figure and Text); its text has no abstract and was not read, so the statement is cited as the PubMed abstract gives it. · Published 2019-07-23 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.9365 · PMID: 31334800

      Locator
      Abstract, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2019 reaffirmation.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Corrected
      Snapshot hash
      a68c5c6e8567d436309381d80c080e91f88e728099c93d678718937898907853
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. PubMed links a published erratum (PMID 31528989, titled Incorrect Language in Figure and Text); its text has no abstract and was not read, so the statement is cited as the PubMed abstract gives it. · Published 2019-07-23 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.9365 · PMID: 31334800

      Locator
      Abstract, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION, sentence 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2019 reaffirmation.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Corrected
      Snapshot hash
      a68c5c6e8567d436309381d80c080e91f88e728099c93d678718937898907853
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Background Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. PubMed links a published erratum (PMID 31528989, titled Incorrect Language in Figure and Text); its text has no abstract and was not read, so the statement is cited as the PubMed abstract gives it. · Published 2019-07-23 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.9365 · PMID: 31334800

      Locator
      Abstract, FINDINGS, sentence 2
      How it applies
      Findings of the evidence update and its objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Corrected
      Snapshot hash
      a68c5c6e8567d436309381d80c080e91f88e728099c93d678718937898907853
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Background Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. PubMed links a published erratum (PMID 31528989, titled Incorrect Language in Figure and Text); its text has no abstract and was not read, so the statement is cited as the PubMed abstract gives it. · Published 2019-07-23 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.9365 · PMID: 31334800

      Locator
      Abstract, FINDINGS, sentence 4
      How it applies
      Findings of the evidence update and its objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Corrected
      Snapshot hash
      a68c5c6e8567d436309381d80c080e91f88e728099c93d678718937898907853
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    5. Background Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. PubMed links a published erratum (PMID 31528989, titled Incorrect Language in Figure and Text); its text has no abstract and was not read, so the statement is cited as the PubMed abstract gives it. · Published 2019-07-23 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.9365 · PMID: 31334800

      Locator
      Abstract, OBJECTIVE, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Findings of the evidence update and its objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Corrected
      Snapshot hash
      a68c5c6e8567d436309381d80c080e91f88e728099c93d678718937898907853
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    6. Background Incorrect Language in Figure and Text

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2019-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.12797 · PMID: 31528989 · PMCID: PMC6749607

      Locator
      ArticleTitle
      How it applies
      Title of the linked erratum; the erratum text itself was not read.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c2e005824fe0aedadd28923eafb606719da88d68ca2eca67802d488d53b85015
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Record details

Record id
maternal:prenatal-infection-screening
Content hash
13f080724be42333bc0dc91dd50828fb4a408d040920aa25defc8385f37f870c