[Screening for HIV antibodies in pregnancy]

The results of the first screening in pregnant women for HIV antibodies published in the literature were obtained at the Charlottenburg Gynecological Clinic of the Free University of Berlin, and are communicated here. They indicate that in future it will be questionable whether AIDS should be looked for only among risk groups, as is currently the case in many obstetric centers. Tests for HIV were positive in 0.5% of 1295 pregnant women who did not belong to a risk group (heroin addicts, prostitutes, transfusion recipients); the findings were confirmed with the more specific Western Blot. Consequently, therefore, it is recommended that HIV screening should be included among the basic antenatal care examinations, the patient having been thoroughly informed. In order that the patient be aware of the reality of the risk, she should, if possible, be informed in early pregnancy: the family physician therefore has a special obligation to fulfil. The fact that increasing numbers of infected women do not belong to risk groups is a further argument in favor of HIV screening. Moreover, AIDS has become the most common infection with serious consequences for mother and child. Patients in whom the test for HIV antibodies is positive also require appropriate counseling and care. Finally, the need to protect both patients and staff against infection during birth must not be neglected.