Anesthetic considerations for the HIV-infected pregnant patient

It has been reported that women of childbearing age constitute a large percentage of the new cases of HIV/AIDS infection. Consequently, it is not uncommon to find pregnant women who are HIV positive. Because of the increased prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women, many anesthesiologists encounter these patients in their practices. Infection with HIV in pregnancy often raises questions about the safety of regional anesthesia in these patients. This controversy first began when it was suggested that the introduction of a spinal needle in an HIV-infected parturient would spread the disease into the CNS, leading to the development of neurological sequelae of this disease. Nevertheless, recent analysis of the problem has shown HIV infection should not contraindicate regional anesthesia.