MOTHER-CHILD HIV-2 TRANSMISSION - TIMING AND DETERMINANTS

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a significant pub lic health priority. A regimen of zidovudine administered during pregn ancy, intrapartum, and to the newborn significantly reduces transmissi on, and incorporation of this regimen into clinical practice has been associated with significant decreases in perinatal transmission in ind ustrialized countries. This regimen, however, is not applicable in the developing world (where most perinatal transmission occurs), and simp ler, shorter, less costly regimens are urgently needed. An understandi ng of the pathogenesis of perinatal transmission is crucial for the de sign of new preventive and therapeutic regimens, and current knowledge is reviewed in this article, with an emphasis on relevance to prevent ion.