HIV infection in pregnancy

All pregnant women should be tested for HIV as early as possible in pregnancy. Repeat testing is recommended in the third trimester for pregnant women with initial negative tests who are known to be at risk of acquiring HIV.

HIV-exposed infants should be tested for HIV infection and specialty care provided if the test is positive.

All pregnant women with HIV should receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), as early as possible in the pregnancy, regardless of CD4 count or viral load. ART should be administered during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods, as well as postpartum to the neonate.

Breast-feeding is not recommended unless replacement feeding is not possible or feasible.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection by infecting CD4 T cells and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).[1]Van de Perre P, Simonon A, Msellati P, et al. Postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from mother to infant. A prospective cohort study in Kigali, Rwanda. N Engl J Med. 1991 Aug 29;325(9):593-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1812850?tool=bestpractice.com Pregnancy in women living with HIV is complicated not only by HIV infection itself but also by the medical and psychosocial comorbidities associated with HIV. HIV infection in pregnancy poses a threat to maternal immune health and can lead to perinatal transmission of HIV in utero, intrapartum, or through breast-feeding postpartum.