Mother-to-child transmission of drug-resistant HIV

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 is responsible for the infection of h undreds of thousands of infants every year. The use of prophylactic antiret roviral treatments has brought about a dramatic decrease in the risk of tra nsmission. Nevertheless, vertical transmission can still occur. In some cas es, the presence of drug-resistant HIV-1 strains in the mother has been res ponsible for the failure of the prophylactic scheme. Moreover,these strains have also been detected in the newborn. The aim of this review is to provi de updated information on mother-to-child transmission of drug-resistant HI V strains and to help guide treatment decisions during pregnancy. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.