Perinatal transmission and maternal risks of human papillomavirus infection.
We conducted a prospective study to investigate whether human papillomavirus (HPV) could be vertically transmitted to neonates. Pregnant women (N = 203) were tested for HPV DNA infection during the third trimester and again during labor prior to delivery. Their newborns (N = 203) were tested 1 to 3 days after delivery. Among the mothers, 12.3% (N = 25/203) typed HPV positive at either or both maternal specimen collection periods, whereas only 1.0% of the neonates (N = 2/203) typed positive. This low transmission rate may be due in part to the fact that 65% of mothers who were HPV positive during the third trimester tested HPV negative by labor/delivery. The higher frequency of risks associated with maternal HPV infection were similar to those found in studies of cervical dysplasia and cancer: younger age at first intercourse and first pregnancy, number of sexual partners, and longer duration in use of oral contraceptives. In addition, those who were past smokers and had a shorter recency and latency period in smoking were more likely to be detected with HPV.
Smith
E M
EM
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Johnson
S R
SR
Cripe
T
T
Perlman
S
S
McGuinness
G
G
Jiang
D
D
Cripe
L
L
Turek
L P
LP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*
D004279:DNA, Viral