Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in resource-poor countries - Translating research into policy and practice

Each year, an estimated 590 000 infants acquire human immunodeficiency viru s type 1 (HIV) infection from their mothers, mostly in developing countries that are unable to implement interventions now standard in the industriali zed world. In resource-poor settings, the HIV pandemic has eroded hard-won gains in infant and child survival. Recent clinical trial results from inte rnational settings suggest that short-course antiretroviral regimens could significantly reduce perinatal HIV transmission worldwide if research findi ngs could be translated into practice. This article reviews current knowled ge of mother-to-child HIV transmission in developing countries, summarizes key findings from the trials, outlines future research requirements, and de scribes public health challenges of implementing perinatal HIV prevention i nterventions in resource-poor settings, Public health efforts must also emp hasize primary prevention strategies to reduce incident HIV infections amon g adolescents and women of childbearing age. Successful implementation of a vailable perinatal HIV interventions could substantially improve global chi ld survival.