[Perinatal HIV-infection. Epidemiologic, social and ethical aspects]

More HIV-infected women are becoming pregnant and delivering their baby. The rate of perinatal transmission is about 30-40%. Two thirds of the verified HIV-positive Norwegian women are infected by heterosexual contact. For this reason the obstetric interview is of major importance in order to identify women at risk. We discuss the HIV-screening programme now being run in Norway. Approximately 250,000 pregnant women have been tested and only 19 HIV-positive women have been detected. We discuss the ethical and social problems connected with day care centres, information to health services and the problems that arise when the mother or both parents develop AIDS and die.