title: Management of human immunodeficiency virus infection in pregnancy.
abstract: The HIV global epidemic is having a devastating effect on women of reproductive age; women aged 15-24 years are 2.5 times more likely to be infected than young men in the same age group. Further, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) accounts for almost two-thirds of the new infections that occur in children world-wide, annually. MTCT of HIV-1 varies widely and is dependent on obstetric practices, mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and the level of the viral load in the mother. Antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in pregnancy is prescribed for two main reasons: (i) women who need ARV medication for their own health; (ii) women who do not need treatment, or do not have access to treatment are offered prophylaxis to prevent MTCT, using one of a number of ARV regimens known to be effective. HIV infection is also associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Clinicians caring for HIV-infected women need to update their knowledge continuously to provide optimal care.
authors.affiliation: MRC/UKZN Pregnancy Hypertension Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. gynae@nu.ac.nz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moodley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents