Prevention of perinatal HIV infection.
In the 20 years since the first description of the clinical manifestations of HIV infection, more than 32 million people have been infected worldwide. In untreated HIV-infected pregnant women, the risk of maternal-child transmission varies from 16 to 40%. In developed countries, utilizing combinations of available medications and elective cesarean sections, it is possible to lower the transmission rates to less than 2 to 4%. Effective programs use universal screening of pregnant women, perinatal antiretroviral therapy, and, at times, delivery via elective cesarean section. In resource-poor areas, major barriers remain to the control of maternal-child transmission.
Rutstein
R M
RM
Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19104, USA. Rutstein@email.chop.edu
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001942:Breast Feeding; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012307:Risk Factors; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015215:Zidovudine