Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis during pregnancy

The frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among pregnant women is increasing. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients, and prophylaxis is an important part of decreasing morbidity. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), pentamidine, and dapsone, alone or in combination with pyrimethamine, are the most commonly used drugs for PCP prophylaxis in the nonpregnant HIV-infected population. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, however, has the potential for adverse effects in the fetus. Limited data are available for the other agents administered as prophylaxis of PCP.