Are girls more at risk of intrauterine-acquired HIV infection than boys?
To investigate whether previously described sex differences in virological and immunological markers in vertically infected children are preceded by sex differences in the overall risk or timing of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) we analysed 3231 mother-child pairs enrolled in the European Collaborative Study. Girls were at a 1.5 times increased risk of MTCT overall, but the sex effect was limited to elective caesarean section deliveries, suggesting that girls may have an increased risk of intrauterine transmission compared with boys.
Thorne
Claire
C
Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, University College, London, UK.
Newell
Marie-Louise
ML
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors