title: Perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection: prevention and evaluation of HIV-exposed infants.
abstract: Perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the primary cause of pediatric HIV infections. In recent years, perinatal HIV-1 transmission rates in the United States have declined markedly because of several factors that include enhanced voluntary counseling and HIV-1 testing (VCT) for pregnant women, widespread use of antiretroviral prophylaxis or combination antiretroviral therapy, avoidance of breastfeeding, and elective cesarean delivery. However, perinatal transmission of HIV-1 still occurs, and 300 to 400 infected infants are born annually, primarily because of missed prevention opportunities. The pediatrician plays a vital role in the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV-1 by identifying newborns born to infected mothers who were not tested during pregnancy, administering antiretroviral prophylaxis, and ensuring follow-up to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in early infancy. This article reviews recent advances in the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV-1, discusses evaluation and treatment of infants exposed to HIV-1, and highlights certain unique features of HIV-1 infections in infants, with a focus on early diagnosis, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University Health Sciences and Brenner Children's Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. ashetty@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Avinash K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents