title: The safety of elective caesarean section for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.
abstract: The benefits of elective caesarean section (ELCS) for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV are now well known. However, the benefits of such a procedure must be weighed against the risks involved. This study examines the risks of ELCS for PMTCT at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria, from January-December 2006 inclusive. A total of 52 HIV-positive mothers who opted for ELCS for PMTCT were prospectively followed-up for any intra- and postoperative complication. A total of 52 cases of ELCS of HIV-negative mothers during the same period of study were used as controls. The HIV-positive mothers were found to be younger and of lower parity than the uninfected women. Unlike the uninfected mothers, they did not have co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and severe pregnancy induced hypertension. There was no significant difference in intra- and postoperative morbidities between the two groups of mothers. The fetal outcome in terms of Apgar scores and birth weight was significantly better among the HIV-infected women. It is recommended that HIV-infected mothers in this environment should be offered the option of ELCS for the purpose of prevention of HIV from mother to child.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chama
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Morrupa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies