[HIV and pregnancy]

K U Petry1

  • 1Chefarzt der Frauenklinik im Klinikum der Stadt Wolfsburg. gyn@Klinikum.Wolfsburg.de

Through an optimal interdisciplinary management, it is possible to reduce the mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 from more than 40% to less than 2%. The following are essential for this success: A risk-adapted antiviral therapy during the pregnancy and birth, a transmission prophylaxis for the new born child, delivery by Caesarean section, the early treatment of concomitant gynecological infections and abstention from breastfeeding. Unidentified HIV-positive pregnant women and inadequate support for HIV-positive pregnant women account for the majority of new HIV-1 infections in children in Germany. Hence, the HIV test should be an obligatory component of prenatal care and HIV-positive pregnant women should receive assistance at an appropriate center.

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