MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV-1 INFECTION. 2006 UPDATE

Key words: Human lymphocytes virus type 1, Mother to child transmission, Laboratory tests, Antiretroviral therapy

In the last decade more children have been born from HIV-1 positive mothers because of a decreased risk of transmission due to a series of effective preventive measures, such as perinatal antiretroviral treatment, elective cesarean section, no breastfeeding. HIV DNA PCR is the most useful laboratory test in order to clarify the infective status of the child. Three consecutive negative tests at birth, at 4-7 weeks and 8-16 weeks of age allow to reasonably exclude infection in the child. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumoniae and guidelines for immunisation are also discussed.