[HIV infection in pregnant women in The Netherlands]

A review is given of the pregnant women with HIV infection known to the co-ordinating centre of the 'Dutch prospective study of HIV seropositive pregnant women and their children'. Fifty-five women with 57 pregnancies were discovered between 1 September 1985 and 1 January 1991. Of these women, 60% were not of Dutch origin and 56% were living in Amsterdam. Thirty-two women were (former) intravenous drug users. In 23 women heterosexual transmission was likely; two women were also blood transfusion recipients. Nearly half (11/23) of these women came from, or had a partner from, an AIDS-endemic area. In 16 women HIV seropositivity was known before pregnancy. Twenty-four women were specifically tested during pregnancy or within 1 week after parturition because of risk factors for HIV infection. Fifteen women were discovered in a HIV screening programme of pregnant women in Amsterdam (n = 13) and the University Hospital of Groningen (n = 2). At first, eight of these women did not mention risk factors. Thirty-five women could choose abortion (less than or equal to 20 weeks of gestation); the majority (69%) decided to continue pregnancy. Twelve pregnancies ended in an elective or spontaneous abortion, 39 in the birth of 40 children (one pair of twins) of whom 39 were viable, three women were still pregnant and of three the pregnancy outcome was unknown. Preterm delivery (8/39) and birth weight less than 2500 gram (7/39) were seen frequently, the latter particularly in women (formerly) using intravenous drugs (6/25).