Background Briefing - Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV

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" Today, 2 decades into the AIDS pandemic, an

estimated 600000 newborns will begin their lives each

year carrying HIV acquired from their mothers, a virus

that will kill many in infancy and allow few to

survive beyond adolescence. Worse, without

intervention, these numbers will steadily increase;

women of child-bearing age are one of the fastest

growing segments of the worldwide population becoming

infected with HIV. But, fortunately, intervention is

possible. With drugs and proper obstetrical care,

rates of vertical transmission of HIV can be

reduced substantially and, in some settings, it can

be eliminated almost entirely. This article provides

an overview of vertically acquired HIV infection, its

prevention, and the treatment of infected children. "

Sections are:

Progression

Prevention

Treatment

URL:

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http://www.ama-assn.org/special/hiv/newsline/briefing/mother.htm