The impact of zidovudine use in HIV-infected pregnant women on vertical transmission of HIV in Mississippi.
In February 1994, results of a large placebo-controlled trial of zidovudine (ZDV) use during pregnancy (ACTG 076) showed a dramatic reduction in vertical transmission of HIV. In August 1994, the Public Health Service (PHS) recommended routine ZDV use in HIV infected pregnant women and their neonates for the prevention of vertical transmission. We retrospectively reviewed vertical transmission rates of HIV in Mississippi from 1/1/90 to 8/30/94 before the PHS guidelines were released and from 9/1/94 to 12/31/97 after the PHS guidelines were released. We also reviewed data on ZDV use in HIV infected pregnant women and their neonates from 9/1/94 to 12/31/97. Antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal ZDV use increased from 61%, 59% and 73% respectively to 79%, 77% and 92% respectively. After 9/1/94, vertical transmission rates fell by 44%. Zidovudine use during pregnancy has increased in Mississippi since release of the PHS guidelines resulting in a dramatic decline in vertical transmission rates.
Palmer
A L
AL
Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Gay
H
H
Currier
M M
MM
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008922:Mississippi; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015215:Zidovudine