National review of maternity care for women with HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
To assess adherence to the British HIV Association (BHIVA) 2001 guidelines for the management of HIV-infected pregnant women.


METHODS
A survey and a case note review were carried out using structured questionnaires sent to providers of adult HIV care in the UK and Ireland. Participants were women with HIV infection who delivered a live or stillborn infant between October 2002 and September 2003. The main outcome measures were the appropriate use of antiretroviral therapy, the use and timing of elective Caesarean section, and support for the avoidance of breast-feeding.


RESULTS
Of 186 centres, 100 (54%) responded with data on 501 eligible pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, practice was in accordance with the BHIVA 2001 guidelines. However, in a number of cases Caesarean sections were planned later than the recommended 38 weeks.
McDonald
C
C
Kings College Hospital, London, UK. candice.mcdonald@bsuh.nhs.uk
Curtis
H
H
de Ruiter
A
A
Johnson
M A
MA
Welch
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007494:Ireland; D008485:Medical Audit; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents