Review of human immunodeficiency virus in women in the United States

Article Abstract:

Adult and adolescent women represent eight percent of all reported cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Of these, 52 percent are or were intravenous drugs users, 29 percent had sexual contact with an infected or high-risk partner, 11 percent had a blood transfusion, 0.4 percent had a blood disorder and eight percent were undetermined. The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in women is more difficult to assess because the incubation period is long (it takes an average of seven years for HIV infections to be detectable in the blood) and HIV infections may not be producing symptoms. Knowing the incidence of HIV infections in women can help determine the incidence of the infection in the general heterosexual population, as well as potential infections in infants (who acquire the disease from infected mothers), and it can help to identify specific areas where testing and counseling would be of benefit. A review of available information regarding women and HIV infections was conducted. HIV infections in women attending family planning clinics and delivery room settings seem to affect between 0 and 4.3 percent. More urban areas have prevalence rates of greater than 1.0 percent. HIV antibodies were detected in infants 0.3 percent of the infants tested in Massachusetts, 0.2 percent in upstate New York, and 1.3 percent in New York City. The prevalence of HIV infection among military applicants was 0.03 percent and the prevalence among female blood donors was 0.1 percent. The highest rate of HIV antibodies was found among young and middle-aged women. A pattern of HIV infections among women is emerging with significant geographical and racial demarcations. Identifying these patterns can help prevention efforts and provide opportunities to identify women at risk. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, HIV patients, AIDS (Disease), HIV antibodies, HIV seroprevalence

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Birth weight standards for triplets under modern obstetric care in the United States, 1984-1989

Article Abstract:

Standard growth curves exist for infants born of single and twin pregnancies, but this information is limited for triplet births, in part because they are rare. Medical data were collected using questionnaires filled out by 1,138 parents of triplets (3,321 infants) born between 1984 and 1989, in order to establish growth standards for triplet births. These subjects were selected because they received modern obstetrical care that was successful in managing the triplet pregnancies, which are by definition high-risk pregnancies. The average age of the mother was 29 years (range 16 to 41 years), average height was 65 inches, and average weight before pregnancy was 138 pounds. Fifty percent of the triplet births were attributed to fertility drugs, whereas spontaneous development and in vitro methods accounted for 38 and 9 percent, respectively. The gestational age at birth was at least 24 weeks, but the average was 33.8 weeks. All three infants were born alive in 93 percent of the pregnancies. The average birth weight was 1,911 grams (4.2 pounds) and factors that were associated with a higher than average birth weight included: male sex; greater maternal age, height and weight; and higher maternal weight gain and parity (number of previous pregnancies). From 26 to 35 weeks of gestation, the average weight of a newborn triplet was at the 30th percentile of growth standards for single infants, but after the 35th week the growth rate decreased steadily to reach the 10th percentile for triplets born at 38 weeks. This study provides valuable information on the growth patterns of infants from triplet pregnancies, information that has been unavailable to date. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Birth weight, Triplets, Multiple birth

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Hospital-based evaluation of programs to prevent perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission

Article Abstract:

High screening rates for hepatitis B among pregnant women may exist, but rates of prenatal treatment for infected women are low. Researchers surveyed 200 hospitals delivering at least 100 infants per year about their hepatitis B screening policies. Seventy-five percent of hospitals had a policy to identify a pregnant woman's hepatitis B status before delivery, and 56% had routine orders to test pregnant women for hepatitis B if their status was unknown upon admission. Eighty-four percent of women had been screened as a part of prenatal care. Twelve out of 3,982 women tested positive for hepatitis B. Only nine infants born to hepatitis B-positive women received preventive immune system treatments. All infants born to hepatitis B-positive women should receive hepatitis B immune globulin shortly after birth.

Health aspects, Maternal-fetal exchange, Disease transmission, Hepatitis B

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