IMPACT OF MATERNAL HIV-1 INFECTION ON PERINATAL OUTCOME

Objectives: To study the impact of HIV-1 infection on pregnancy and ma ternal and early fetal outcome. Method: From January 1992 to January 1 993, 160 HIV-1 seropositive women and 164 HIV-1 seronegative age- and parity-matched pregnant tribal women from Manipur, India, were recruit ed into a prospective study. Mother and infant were followed until 6 w eeks postpartum Results: Nine percent (15/160) of subjects had AIDS (C DC IV), 38% (60/160) were symptomatic (CDC III) and 53% (85/160) were asymptomatic (CDC I/II). Symptomatic (CDC III/IV) HIV-1 infection is a ssociated with a significantly increased rate of miscarriage, low birt h weight, intrauterine fetal death and preterm delivery. Perinatal, in fant and maternal deaths were limited to symptomatic women. HIV-1 infe cted women were significantly younger than their HIV-1 negative counte rparts both in age and age at sexual debut. Placental membrane inflamm ation was significantly higher in the seropositive group and this corr elated well with a higher risk of preterm delivery and postpartum endo metritis. Asymptomatic HIV-1 infection was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Symptomatic (CDC III/IV) HIV-I infecti on in Indian tribal women is associated with adverse maternal and feta l outcome.