Antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis of maternal fetal transmission of HIV-1. Current and future strategies.

Azidothymidine is effective and recommended for the prophylaxis of vertical HIV transmission. Data regarding this treatment have been collected over t he last decade, leading to it being widely prescribed despite the lack of i nformation concerning its long term toxicity. Antiretroviral drug combinati ons administered during pregnancy appear to ensure a better protection of b oth mothers and their offspring. However, data available on the adverse eff ects of these therapies during pregnancy are scarce and mainly obtained fro m in vitro or animal models. Therefore there is a need for multicentric tri al including long- term follow-up of exposed patients. (C) 1999 Elsevier, P aris.