Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV: Our experience in South India

Objectives

To determine the outcomes of various ARV (Anti-Retroviral) prophylactic regimes given to HIV positive pregnant mothers, based on time of presentation, for prevention of vertical transmission.

Methods

During a four year period, 92 pregnant HIV positive women and their newborn infants received various ARV prophylactic regimes for prevention of vertical transmission. The outcome, in terms of presence of HIV infection in the infants born to these mothers was studied.

Results

The prevalence of HIV infection in the antenatal group studied was 0.62%. Of the 92 HIV positive pregnant mothers who delivered live babies, 91.3% received ARV prophylaxis or HAART, and 95.6% of the 92 live infants received ARV prophylaxis. The risk of vertical transmission was only 3.3%.

Conclusions

Judicious PMTCT regimes, even if they appear complex, are possible in the Indian setting, and can result in significant decline of HIV positive children. Duration of treatment and mode of delivery should be based on the time of presentation of the HIV positive pregnant mother.