Pregnancy-related changes in the longer-term management of HIV-infected women in Europe.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify policies regarding management of HIV-infected women, relating to pregnancy, in view of current European consensus guidelines.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire survey in 36 hospitals in 11 European countries.


RESULTS
Responses were received from 22 (61%) centres, representing all 11 countries. In principle, antiretroviral therapy (ART) would be reviewed in treated women wanting to become pregnant in nearly all centres. Multidisciplinary management of infected pregnant women was routine in 17 (77%) centres, facilitating continuity of care. Approximately half the clinicians would use zidovudine monotherapy for pregnant women without indications for ART, while the remainder prescribed combination therapy. In 1998-2000, pre-eclampsia was the most prominent adverse event (22 centres) in women receiving ART, with congenital abnormalities (13 abnormalities in 6 centres) and stillbirth (5 centres) also reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Policies varied, particularly regarding prophylactic ART for women without indications for treatment and did not always follow current European guidelines.
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000209:etiology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D003376:Counseling; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015215:Zidovudine