Striking a balance: HIV testing for pregnant women and newborns

We have learned a lot about how to prevent HIV transmission from a mother to child during pregnancy, birth and infancy (sometimes called vertical transmission). Improved preventive care and voluntary HIV testing have drastically reduced vertical transmission rates in developed countries. However, while good testing policies work hand in hand with improved care options to produce better outcomes for women and children, testing policies can't in themselves reduce vertical transmission. Therefore, the goal of testing policies must be to encourage women to know their status and whenever possible, link women with the healthcare necessary to take advantage of their options.