title: Natural pregnancies in HIV-serodiscordant couples receiving successful antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: Increasing numbers of HIV-serodiscordant heterosexual couples are concerned about the chances for pregnancy. We reviewed all natural pregnancies attained by HIV-serodiscordant couples seen in 3 clinics in Spain, in which the infected partner had undetectable plasma viremia while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In the case of HIV-infected mothers, only those with undetectable viremia during pregnancy and at delivery were chosen. A total of 62 HIV-serodiscordant couples, 22 HIV-infected women (mean CD4 count of 522 cells/microL, 55% hepatitis C virus [HCV]-seropositive) and 40 HIV-infected men (mean CD4 count of 629 cells/microL, 75% HCV-seropositive), were recorded. Overall, 76 natural pregnancies occurred, and 68 children were born. There were 9 fetal deaths, 1 twin pregnancy, 6 couples with 2 consecutive babies, and 4 couples with 3 consecutive newborns. There were no cases of HIV seroconversion in uninfected sexual partners. One case of vertical HIV transmission occurred, however. Serodiscordant couples attaining natural pregnancy are exposed to a negligible risk of sexual transmission of HIV when the infected partner presents with complete suppression of plasma viremia while receiving HAART.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. pbarreiro@v4066.drago.net
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barreiro
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Romero
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hernando
authors.forename: Román
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asencio
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Mendoza
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Labarga
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.forename: José Tomás
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González-Lahoz
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soriano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents