Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) seroconversion during pregnancy does not increase the risk of perinatal transmission

Article Abstract:

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be transmitted from an infected mother to her infant during childbirth (vertical transmission). The influence of HIV seroconversion of the mother during pregnancy on the rate of vertical transmission was assessed. Seroconversion is the development of an antibody response, in this case, the production of antibodies that are specifically directed against HIV. The study involved 10 mothers who seroconverted to HIV during pregnancy. All women had normal, full-term pregnancies and were free of symptoms at vaginal delivery. One woman had a history of intravenous drug abuse, whereas six women had a sexual partner with HIV infection. Three other women had both a history of intravenous drug abuse and an HIV-infected sexual partner. Two of 10 children developed symptoms or signs of HIV infection by 9 and 11 months of age, respectively. In a 1988 study in Italy, it was shown that 19 percent of children exposed to HIV infection at childbirth acquired HIV infection. The results suggest that the risk of HIV transmission during childbirth is similar among women who seroconvert during pregnancy and those who have chronic HIV infection. The production of HIV antibodies usually occurs within the first few months of infection. However, the HIV antibody response may be delayed or absent for a prolonged period. It is possible that pregnancy may trigger the mother's immune response to HIV. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, HIV infection, Pregnant women, AIDS (Disease), AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy, HIV seropositivity, HIV positive

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Mode of delivery and gestational age influence perinatal HIV-1 transmission

Article Abstract:

HIV transmission from mother to infant may be more likely among infants born very prematurely, by vaginal rather than cesarean birth, and to mothers with symptoms of HIV disease. Researchers analyzed data from medical records and questionnaires regarding 1,624 children born to HIV-positive mothers. Children born vaginally were approximately 1.7 times more likely to acquire the infection compared to children delivered by cesarean section. Children whose mothers had symptoms of HIV infection were 1.6 times more likely to acquire the infection than those whose mothers were asymptomatic. Among children who were not twins, being the first- or second-born did not significantly affect the rate of infection. Transmission was also not significantly and independently affected by the infant's sex, breast feeding, birth weight, or mother's history of drug use.

HIV infection in pregnancy

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Reduction in Mortality With Availability of Antiretroviral Therapy for Children With Perinatal HIV-1 Infection

Article Abstract:

Children born with HIV infection who are treated with a combination of AIDS drugs have a better prognosis than those who are not treated or are treated with only one or two drugs. This was the conclusion of researchers who analyzed data from the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children, which covers 1,142 children who contracted HIV from their mothers at birth.

Prognosis

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