Impaired fertility in HIV-1-infected pregnant women: a clinic-based survey in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 1997.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Impaired fertility in HIV-1-infected pregnant women: a clinic-based survey in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 1997.

AIDS. 1999 Mar 11;13(4):517-21. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99211238
Desgrees du Lou A; Msellati P; Yao A; Noba V; Viho I; Ramon R; Welffens-Ekra C; Dabis F; Institut de Recherche pour le Development, Programme Sida,; Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Differences in fertility among HIV-1-positive and HIV-negative women tested in prenatal clinics were suspected by routine data collection in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. This study was conducted on detailed fertility patterns among women at the same antenatal care centres, in order to assess these differences. METHOD: The survey was carried out on 1201 consecutive women who agreed to be tested for HIV. Data collected included a detailed account of pregnancies, the time interval between the last two pregnancies, and the health status at the time of the survey. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis with informed consent. RESULTS: Despite an earlier exposure to pregnancy risk, HIV-1-infected women aged 25 years and above, had, on the average, fewer pregnancies than uninfected women. An analysis of the interval between the last two pregnancies among multigravidae showed that, all things being equal, being HIV-1 positive decreased the risk of being pregnant by 17% (Cox regression, hazard ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.99). This shift in the occurrence of the last pregnancy was more profound among HIV-1-positive women already at the symptomatic or AIDS stage, than among asymptomatic women. CONCLUSION: These data confirm that women infected by HIV-1 would become pregnant less often than uninfected women, for an equal exposure to the risk of pregnancy. Therefore HIV-1-positive women could be under-represented at antenatal centres. Programmes involving such settings both for epidemiological surveillance and the reduction of mother-to-child transmission should take this observation into account.

Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE Adult Cote d'Ivoire Female *Fertility Human HIV Infections/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY *HIV-1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY
990830
A9980982

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1999. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .