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HIV and pregnancy
Author(s) -
Moore Antonia L,
Madge Sara,
Johnson Margaret A
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.2002.4.4.197
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , pregnancy , caesarean section , transmission (telecommunications) , obstetrics , antiretroviral therapy , intervention (counseling) , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , viral load , family medicine , nursing , genetics , electrical engineering , biology , engineering
The number of HIV‐positive heterosexuals in the UK is rising and there are increasing numbers of HIV‐positive individuls wishing to start families. Without intervention, the risk of mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of HIV is between 15‐25%, yet with anti‐retroviral therapy, elective caesarean section delivery and avoidance of breastfeeding this can be reduced to under 2%. It is, therefore, important that patients are aware of their HIV status and that obstetricians are aware of the advances in anti‐retroviral therapy and other measures that can minimise the risk of HIV infection in the neonate.