Impact of human immunodeficiency virus infection on women and infants

Infection with HIV is a problem of growing magnitude among women and children in the United States. During 1991, AIDS will be among the five leading causes of death for women of childbearing age. Over 80% of children with HIV have acquired the infection vertically, and AIDS is now a leading cause of death of children in many urban areas of the United States. Gender and age have important influences on the progression of HIV disease and on the occurrence of complicating illnesses. Zidovudine can slow HIV disease progression, and several regimens of prophylaxis are effective against P. carinii pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death among adults and children with AIDS. Intravenous immunoglobulin may be effective for prevention of serious infections in some children with symptomatic HIV infection. Ultimately, prevention of HIV infection among women and children depends on targeted education and, possibly, the development of medical strategies for interruption of vertical transmission.