AEGiS-14IAC: Reduction of perinatal HIV transmission in Trinidad and Tobago-an updat.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Reduction of perinatal HIV transmission in Trinidad and Tobago-an updat.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. C10693)

Jack N, Edwards J, Smith H, Telfer-Baptiste M, Quava A, Cleghorn F, Lambert J, Daniel J, Bartholomew C
Medical Research Foundation, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

BACKGROUND: The utility of antiretrovirals to reduce perinatal HIV transmission has been demonstrated. The cost of antiretrovirals and inadequate infrastructure have limited implementation in many countries.

METHODS: The Medical Research Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (MRFTT) has treated HIV infected pregnant women with zidovudine from 1997. From 1998, a short course zidovudine regimen starting at 36 weeks has been used and the infants are treated for 6 weeks. Breastfeeding is discouraged and formulae is provided.

RESULTS: 139 women with 150 pregnancies have been offered treatment. The women were ages 15 to 38, and 55 (40%) knew they were HIV positive before pregnancy. 5 refused treatment and 6 had miscarriages. 119 have been treated or are currently receiving treatment, the remainder are waiting treatment initiation. PCR results are available for 76 infants; 5 (6.5%) are HIV infected. Only 3 infants were breastfed intermittently.

CONCLUSION: Short course antiretrovirals and the absence of breastfeeding has resulted in low levels of mother to child transmission of HIV in this resource-limited country, with results comparable to those of resource rich settings.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Zidovudine, HIV Seropositivity, Breast Feeding, Trinidad and Tobago, Human, Female, Child, Infant, Pregnancy, transmission

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C10693