Is HTLV-1 status another antenatal screening test that we need?
Human T-lymphocytic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriage is associated with a 2% to 5% lifetime risk of developing a severe, if not fatal, disease. In our Inner London antenatal population, we found that the carrier rate was 0.3%. The antenatal transmission rate is known to be very low, but if the infant is breastfed the transmission rate is up to 25%. It is therefore possible to interrupt the transmission cycle by advising against breastfeeding. The ethical and fiscal issues surrounding antenatal testing are addressed.
Otigbah
C
C
Homerton Hospital, London.
Kelly
A
A
Aitken
C
C
Norman
J
J
Jeffries
D
D
Erskine
K J
KJ
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence