[Anonymous serological screening for HIV infection in umbilical cord blood by the pooled-batch system].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of HIV infections in pregnant women of the health area of Zamora, Spain by unlinked anonymous screening and to estimate the percentage of non-diagnosed cases by non-systematic screening.


METHODS
Umbilical cord blood samples of 2,695 newborns at "Virgen de la Concha" hospital of Zamora collected between January 1994 and December 1996 were stored with a code number and with no personal identification. HIV antibody testing in the serum from the umbilical cord blood was performed with an enzyme-immunoassay using pooled sera and verified with Western blot. All children born to HIV-infected women during the same period were registered.


RESULTS
Four of 2,695 samples were seropositive. HIV prevalence was 0.15% (CI 95%, 0.04-0.37). During the same period only 3 children born to HIV infected women were recognized. We estimate that at least 25% of seropositive women were undetected.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that routine HIV screening should be offered to all pregnant women.
Ochoa Sangrador
C
C
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Virgen de la Concha, Zamora.
Brezmes Valdivieso
P
P
Carrascal Tejado
A
A
Pérez Carretero
J
J
Castaño Almendral
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D015483:HIV Antibodies
Cribado serológico anónimo de infección VIH en sangre de cordón umbilical por el sistema de lotes.