PERINATAL TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN INFANTS - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFECTION-RATE AND MODE OF DELIVERY

Objective: To determine the transmission rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) in newborn infants of HPV-positive women and to assess the relat ionship between perinatal HPV transmission and mode of delivery. Metho ds: Three hundred one pregnant women were selected: vaginal delivery ( n = 160) or cesarean delivery (n = 141). We assessed the presence of t he HPV types 16 and 18 DNA sequences in buccal and genital swabs of ne onates born to HPV-positive mothers, using the polymerase chain reacti on. Results: The overall frequency of HPV 16/18 infection among the pr egnant women was 22.6% (68/301). At birth, the overall frequency of HP V transmission from HPV 16/18 positive mothers to newborns was 39.7% ( 27/68). A significantly higher rate of HPV 16/18 infection was found a t birth when infants were delivered vaginally than when infants were d elivered by cesarean (18/35 or 51.4% versus 9/33 or 27.3%, P = .042). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of perin atal HPV infection between the HPV types 16 and 18 in either vaginal d elivery group or in the cesarean delivery group (all P > .100). No sig nificant difference was found between the buccal and genital sites (27 /68 versus 21/68, P = .234) or between male and female infants overall (12/36 versus 15/32, P = .255). Conclusion: The findings suggest that neonates are at higher risk for exposure to HPV after vaginal deliver y than after cesarean delivery.