title: Human immunodeficiency virus infection in pregnancy: epidemiology and prevention of vertical transmission.
abstract: The preponderance of AIDS cases in women during their reproductive years demands attention to primary prevention, early recognition, and appropriate interventions. Increases in the epidemic among injection drug users and heterosexually exposed persons have resulted in an increased impact of HIV/AIDS among women and children. It is clear that vertical transmission of HIV can occur early in pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or in the postpartum period. For these reasons, prevention strategies must be comprehensive and include primary prevention and appropriate intervention during pregnancy and in the peripartum and postpartum area. Stringent infection control techniques are imperative during delivery and in the postpartum period, even in the absence of clear data supporting this intervention. Recent data suggest that the cost of treating one adult patient with AIDS is approximately $100,000, making prevention and intervention imperative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, MA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jarek
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C084715:HIV hyperimmune globulin; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D015215:Zidovudine