HIV infection in the parturient

As the incidence of AIDS continues to increase in the female population, there will be more cases of HIV-positive women in the obstetric suite requiring anesthesia services. Many may be asymptomatic, but there will be patients with active opportunistic infections and malignancies who may or may not have been treated. The impact of both the disease AIDS and the drugs used to treat it on anesthetic technique can be significant. Hematological, neurological, respiratory, and immune dysfunction can be expected in a significant proportion of these women. Universal precautions should be utilized for all deliveries regardless of known HIV status. The ubiquitous presence of blood and amniotic fluid during labor and delivery mandate the use of gloves, gowns, and eye protection in the obstetric suite to avoid transmission of HIV to health care workers. Transmission to the newborn during delivery can be minimized by avoidance of skin and mucous membrane trauma and careful removal of secretions and blood. Infected parturients should be carefully assessed for neurological and hematological dysfunction prior to the use of regional anesthesia, and anesthesiologists must be aware of the potential toxicities of therapeutic drug treatment and their impact on anesthesia.