RISK FACTORS OF HIV-1 VERTICAL TRANSMISSION (VT) AND THE INFLUENCE OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART) IN PREGNANCY OUTCOME

In the absence of intervention, the rate of vertical transmission of HIVcan range from 15-45%. With the inclusion of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancyand the choice of delivery route this amounts to less than 2%. However ARV use duringpregnancy has generated several questions regarding the adverse effects of thegestational and neonatal outcome. This study aims to analyze the risk factors forvertical transmission of HIV-1 seropositive pregnant women living in Rio Grande andthe influence of the use of ARVs in pregnancy outcome. Among the 262 pregnant womenstudied the rate of vertical transmission of HIV was found to be 3.8%. Regarding theVT, there was a lower risk of transmission when antiretroviral drugs were used andprenatal care was conducted at the referral service. However, the use of ART did notinfluence the outcome of pregnancy. However, initiation of prenatal care after thefirst trimester had an influence on low birth weight, as well as performance of lessthan six visits increased the risk of prematurity. Therefore, the risk factorsanalyzed in this study appear to be related to the realization of inadequatepre-natal and maternal behavior.