IS HTLV-1 STATUS ANOTHER ANTENATAL SCREENING-TEST THAT WE NEED

Authors
OTIGBAH C KELLY A AITKEN C NORMAN J JEFFRIES D ERSKINE KJ
Citation
C. Otigbah et al., IS HTLV-1 STATUS ANOTHER ANTENATAL SCREENING-TEST THAT WE NEED, British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 104(2), 1997, pp. 258-260
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Obsetric & Gynecology
Journal title
British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology → ACNP
ISSN journal
03065456
Volume
104
Issue
2
Year of publication
1997
Pages
258 - 260
Database
ISI
SICI code
0306-5456(1997)104:2<258:IHSAAS>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Human T-lymphocytic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriage is associated with a 2% to 5% lifetime risk of developing a severe, if not fatal, disease . In our Inner London antenatal population, we found that the carrier rate was 0.3%. The antenatal transmission rate is known to be very low , but if the infant is breastfed the transmission rate is up to 25%. I t is therefore possible to interrupt the transmission cycle by advisin g against breastfeeding. The ethical and fiscal issues surrounding ant enatal testing are addressed.