Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- List of abbreviations
- Foreword
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I Scientific basis of pediatric HIV care
- Part II General issues in the care of pediatric HIV patients
- 7 Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in children
- 8 Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
- 9 Routine pediatric care
- 10 Immunizations
- 11 Prevention of opportunistic infections and other infectious complications of HIV in children
- 12 Emergency evaluation and care
- 13 Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children and youth
- 14 Adolescents and HIV
- 15 Adolescent reproductive health and HIV
- 16 Growth, nutrition, and metabolism
- 17 Neurobehavioral function and assessment of children and adolescents with HIV-1 infection
- Part III Antiretroviral therapy
- Part IV Clinical manifestations of HIV infection in children
- Part V Infectious problems in pediatric HIV disease
- Part VI Medical, social, and legal issues
- Appendices
- Index
- Plate section
- References
8 - Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
from Part II - General issues in the care of pediatric HIV patients
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 February 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- List of abbreviations
- Foreword
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I Scientific basis of pediatric HIV care
- Part II General issues in the care of pediatric HIV patients
- 7 Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in children
- 8 Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
- 9 Routine pediatric care
- 10 Immunizations
- 11 Prevention of opportunistic infections and other infectious complications of HIV in children
- 12 Emergency evaluation and care
- 13 Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children and youth
- 14 Adolescents and HIV
- 15 Adolescent reproductive health and HIV
- 16 Growth, nutrition, and metabolism
- 17 Neurobehavioral function and assessment of children and adolescents with HIV-1 infection
- Part III Antiretroviral therapy
- Part IV Clinical manifestations of HIV infection in children
- Part V Infectious problems in pediatric HIV disease
- Part VI Medical, social, and legal issues
- Appendices
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Summary
Introduction
Over the past several years, major successes have been achieved in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV). However, these successes have occurred primarily in those countries with the greatest resources and the lowest burden of HIV infection among women and children. Significant challenges remain, particularly in those countries with more limited resources and a greater population burden of HIV infection. Each day an estimated 2000 infants become infected with HIV, virtually all residing in resource-poor settings [1]. In this chapter, the timing and rates of, and risk factors for, MTCT of HIV will be reviewed briefly. Interventions for the prevention of MTCT of HIV will be discussed, both those already shown to be efficacious and those under study. Finally, strategies to prevent MTCT of HIV will be addressed.
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV: timing and rates
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV can occur during pregnancy, at the time of labor and delivery, and postnatally (through breastfeeding) [2]. Potential mechanisms of antepartum and intrapartum transmission of HIV include transplacental transfer of the virus from mother to fetus before delivery and exposure of the fetus or infant to maternal blood, amniotic fluid, and cervicovaginal secretions during delivery. Evidence for transmission during each of these periods has been elucidated over several years. Evidence for in utero transmission of HIV includes identification of HIV in fetal tissue and blood, in amniotic fluid, and in placental tissue; and positive viral assays in many HIV-infected infants at birth [3].
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Textbook of Pediatric HIV Care , pp. 111 - 133Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2005
References
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