title: Prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV in Arkansas.
abstract: In 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended zidovudine (ZDV) prophylaxis to reduce perinatal transmission of HIV. Caregivers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) instituted a program of universal voluntary HIV testing of pregnant females combined with maternal education regarding ZDV prophylaxis in October 1994. Since that time, 7 of 39 (18%) infants referred to Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) for evaluation of perinatal HIV exposure have been infected compared to 21 of 53 (40%) referred prior to October 1994, (p = 0.042). Unfortunately, of the 39 infants referred to ACH after October 1994, 21 were born to HIV-infected mothers who did not comply with prophylaxis. Fifteen of these mothers were not offered intravenous ZDV during delivery; five have children infected with HIV. These data indicate the need for increased efforts by health officials in Arkansas to institute nationally recommended methods of prevention of perinatal HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, UAMS/Arkansas Children's Hospital, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Darville
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matheney
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001131:Arkansas; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015215:Zidovudine