Management of HIV serodiscordant couples. The clinician point of view

Background: Couples where the male partner is HIV-infected but the female p artner is not often express a desire for children. Assisted reproduction te chniques (ART) with sperm "wash" can reduce the risk of acquisition of infe ction for the woman. The information about the characteristics of such coup les coming to these clinics for advice and support is scant. Objective: To describe the characteristics of a cohort of HIV-discordant co uples seeking reproductive assistance in a referral clinic in Barcelona, Sp ain. Methods: Demographic, social and HIV related information were collected pro spectively according to a standard protocol. Blood tests, a full evaluation for STDs and sperm analysis were performed. Results: Between April 1994 and February 1999, 140 couples contacted the cl inic for reproductive advice, 100 couples were fully assessed and were offe red reproductive assistance. The vast majority were white, with a history o f injecting drug use. Nearly half of the men had been diagnosed during thei r present relationship. STDs were uncommon and abnormalities among sperm an alysis were frequent. Conclusion: An increasing number of HIIV infected individuals desire to hav e children. With the introduction of HAART and the safety of sperm wash in such cases, the need to have children is more frequently expressed. These c ouples are in general healthy and accept to be included in an ART program.