Mother-to-child transmission of HIV: risk factors and timing. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Mother-to-child transmission of HIV: risk factors and timing.

Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11;9(1):10 (abstract no. PS-04-2). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/93333218
Peckham CS

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the issues relating to risk and rates of vertical transmission. METHODS: Based on the results of prospective studies which follow children born to mothers known to be HIV infected at or before the time of delivery. RESULTS: Published estimates of vertical transmission (vt) rates range from 7-39%. In Europe the rate is currently about 15%, but in Africa it is about 30-35%. Certain factors have now been identified to be associated with an increased rate of vt. These include advanced maternal clinical and immunological status, p24-antigenaemia, premature delivery, and breastfeeding. Although it is clear that fetal infection can occur before delivery, there is increasing indirect evidence that a substantial proportion of infection is acquired in late pregnancy or at delivery. The risk of transmission through breastfeeding is about 30% if maternal infection is acquired postnatally. The additional risk from a mother with established infection through breastfeeding is around 15%. Attention is now being given to interventions aimed to reduce vertical transmission, such as vaginal lavage, passive and active immunisation and antiretroviral therapy. These will need to be carefully evaluated in the context of a vertical transmission study.
Keywords: *HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY *HIV Infections/TRANSMISSION *Pregnancy Complications, InfectiousKWDhivinfections/epidemiologyKWDhivinfections/transmissionKWDpregnancycomplications,infectious
931130
M93B5829

Copyright © 1993 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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