The management of HIV-positive pregnant women

Abstract

The chance of a baby born to an HIV-positive mother being HIV positive itself is 1 in 6. HIV infection cannot be diagnosed in utero. A diagnosis of HIV infection may not be excluded until the baby is 15 months old. There is no sound evidence that pregnancy worsens maternal HIV disease. The options of caesarean section and vaginal delivery are discussed but the decision does not need to be made until after 36 weeks. The risk of transmitting the virus in breastmilk should always be discussed and the mother advised to bottle feed. The prescribing of zidovudine needs full and informed explanation.