The transmission of HIV from mother to the child during pregnancy and lactation is a serious concern for the Ob/Gyns. It is thus important to perform regular screening besides the anti-retroviral therapy (ART). This synopsis is based on what is recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, United Kingdom for the management of HIV in pregnancy. There is a 15-20% risk of mother to child transmission of HIV. The overall prevalence of perinatal transmission is 80% in absence of breastfeeding.
However, in ART recipient women the risk dwindles to only 2%. Antenatal HIV screening: Pregnant women are recommended for HIV screening, if they decline the test, reminder must be given again at 28 th week. If the women are HIV negative but the physician assumes high risk, further screening should be done. 4 th generation rapid HIV test is recommended. Other tests for infectious…
