Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Potential Effect on Fetus

  • Neonatal/childhood HIV infection

Rate of Perinatal Transmission

- 25% (rate reduced to less than 1% with suppressive triple antiretroviral therapy)

- majority of infants infected in 3rd trimester or at time of delivery.

- transmission may also occur with breastfeeding (5-20%).

Maternal Screening

- Routine HIV antibody (performed in 1st trimester).

- Repeat in 3rd trimester if high risk for HIV.

Prevention

- Avoid high risk behavior.

- For documented HIV exposure in pregnancy, consult Infectious Diseases.

- If HIV positive, consult Infectious Diseases and Maternal/Fetal specialist or experts in perinatal HIV disease.

- Avoid breastfeeding.