title: Human immunodeficiency virus infection and pregnancy.
abstract: Vertical transmission from mother-to-child is the main mode of acquisition of HIV infection in children. Infection may be acquired before, during, or after birth, but the relative contribution of each of these routes remains unknown. Estimates of the rate of vertical transmission range from 15% to 39%, and the rate is lower in European studies than in African studies. This variation reflects differences in distribution of risk factors associated with vertical transmission, including maternal clinical and immunological HIV status, and breastfeeding. There is some suggestion that mode of delivery may also be associated with the likelihood of transmission. About 25% of infected children develop AIDS in the first year of life; the prognosis for the remainder is less clear. Increasingly, attention is being given to approaches that aim to reduce vertical transmission, such as avoidance of breastfeeding, cleansing of the birth canal, antiretroviral therapy and passive or active immunization.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, Institute of Child Health, London, England.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Peckham
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents