HIV: mother to child transmission, current knowledge and on-going studies

It is estimated that approximately 6000 women of childbearing age, mostly l iving in the developing world, acquire HIV infection every day. Taking into account that approximately 98%, of HIV infected children have acquired HIV from the mother, during pregnancy, at delivery or through breastfeeding, t herefore, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is a major heal th priority. Several studies have showed how MTCT of HIV may be prevented u sing antiretrovirals. Results from a study conducted in Thailand have also recently showed how a short oral zidovudine course during pregnancy and lab or may reduce the risk of HIV transmission by approximately 50%. These find ings represent a major challenge for the International Health Agencies and Organizations that will have the major obligation to provide HIV tests, cou nseling and antiviral drugs in settings with high HIV prevalence. (C) 1998 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.