PREGNANCY AND HIV-INFECTION IN EUROPE

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence among pregnant women varies between and within countries and is generally higher in urban than in rural areas. In the European Collaborative Study, heterosexual transmission is increasing and most women are asymptomatic, although the overall mean CD4 count is declining over time. There seems to be l ittle evidence of an increased risk of pregnancy or delivery complicat ions in HIV-infected pregnancies. Most studies have found no increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes, although further research is needed. Pr ospective studies suggest that pregnancy does not promote accelerated disease progression in asymptomatic women. Despite earlier concerns, t hree recent studies suggest that pregnancy is not associated with dete rioration of immunocompetence. The increasing number of infected pregn ant women requires adequate planning for the future care of their chil dren.