Research

The authors present the case of a 6-year-old child with a delayed diagnosis of perinatal HIV infection. They describe the increased morbidity resulting from the delay and remind clinicians of the importance of universal HIV screening of pregnant women (including repeat third trimester testing),…

The authors, including Hotline Co-Medical Director Dr. Lynn Yee, report on their findings regarding repeat third trimester syphilis testing at a large tertiary hospital in Chicago, Illinois. They observe overall low compliance with the state law mandating repeat third trimester testing and…

A recent comparative study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports on the benefits of Dolutegravir in pregnancy compared to other HIV regimens currently used in the United States. Patel K, Huo Y, Jao J, et al. Dolutegravir in pregnancy as compared with current HIV regimens in the…

In this review, the authors explore the unique mental health issues faced by women living with HIV and examine the feasibility and outcomes of mental health interventions that have been tested in this population. Citation: Waldron EM, Burnett-Zeigler I, Wee V, Ng YW, Koenig LJ,…

This clinical opinion piece is the Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline team's call to action for universal repeat third trimester HIV testing as a key strategy toward perinatal HIV elimination. Citation: Cassimatis IR, Ayala LD, Miller ES, Garcia PM, Jao J, Yee LM. Third trimester repeat…

The authors, including many of the clinicians on the Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline, examine the association between housing instability and HIV outcomes in pregnant individuals living with HIV. Citation: Cassimatis IR, Miller ES, Benes L, Levesque J, Yee LM. Housing instability is…

This study examined the pharmacokinetics and safety of nevirapine for use in the early neonatal period. The authors found that nevirapine at the dose studied was confirmed to be safe, and that the data support nevirapine as a component of presumptive HIV treatment in high-risk neonates.…

This qualitative study in a high HIV prevalence U.S. city explored communication about HIV testing among pregnant HIV-negative women and their male partners. The authors suggest future research is needed to assess specific barriers to male partner HIV testing as an approach to preventing…

This study assessed the relationship between social vulnerability among foreign-born pregnant women living with HIV and maternal viremia during pregnancy. The authors found virologic control during pregnancy to be worse among socially-vulnerable women and recommend closer follow-up and…

This study examines pregnancy intention and its relationship to achieving viral suppression by delivery. The authors found that women with an unintended pregnancy were less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy prior to initiating prenatal care and were less likely to be virally suppressed…

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has published updated and expanded checklists to help ensure that all relevant elements are considered for every person with HIV during prepregnancy, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. The checklists are intended to be used as tools to…

Recent findings from the IMPAACT P1115 study confirm the safety and therapeutic drug concentrations of a nevirapine-based antiretroviral regimen in the early neonatal period. The study's aim was to establish dosing of nevirapine for very early treatment of HIV-exposed neonates at high risk of…

Updated in October 2020, this clinical report from the American Academcy of Pediatrics provides guidance on the evaluation and management of infants born to women living with HIV. Citation: Chadwick EG. AAP Committee on Pediatric AIDS. Evaluation and management of the infant exposed to…

This issue of AIDS includes a special section on the intersection of COVID-19 and people living with HIV.  AIDS October 1, 2020 - Volume 34 - Issue 12

This article describes a prospective cohort study to assess the feasibility, perceptions, and adherence associated with periconceptional PrEP use among females without HIV and their male partners living with HIV across four academic medical centers in the United States. Citation: Leech AA,…

This study, by members of the Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline medical leadership team, explores the attitudes of pregnant women and their partners toward partner HIV testing. Citation: Yee LM, Leziak K, Jackson J, Miller ES. Attitudes towards male partner HIV testing among…

A recent study of neurological outcomes in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected found some increased risk of neurologic abnormalities. These risks were associated with exposure to efavirenz and didanosine. Dolutegravir expsoure showed some suggestive associations that the authors suggest…

This article examines the most recent epidemiology of perinatal HIV transmission in the United States in the era of elimination. It looks at the perinatal HIV prevention cascade, annual births to women with HIV, the population of women living with HIV, and their geographical distribution…

This article, written by members of the IL Perinatal HIV Hotline team, reviews existing evidence regarding the gynecologic and obstetric issues unique to reproductive age women with perinatally acquired HIV. Citation: Berhie S, Yee L, Jao J. The reproductive years of women with…

In this article, the authors describe progress thus far toward the goal of perinatal HIV elimination in the United States. They describe different approaches to perinatal HIV preventive services in the District of Columbia and five states, including Illinois. They conclude by sharing strategies…

In this article, the authors describe the use of neonatal prophylaxis over time. They observed overall low rates of combination prophylaxis, including for those infants at higher risk, demonstrating inconsistency with current guidelines in the United States. Citation: Williams PL, Huo Y,…

In this article, the authors describe the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and ARV adherence and viral suppression in pregnancy. They conclude that IPV during a pregnancy is associated with decreased ARV adherence and delays in achieving virologic suppression.…

In this article, the authors describe the relationship between stigma toward pregnant women with HIV and efforts to eradicate perinatal HIV transmission. They conclude that stigma plays a significant role in the inability of the U.S. to eliminate MTCT of HIV. Citation: Arora KS,…

In this article, the authors describe a comprehensive concept of perinatal HIV service coordination. The authors identify six core functions to close the gap in the HIV care continuum for pregnant women and prevent perinatal transmission of HIV in the United States. Citation: Andrews MM…

New research suggests a woman’s risk of acquiring HIV through sex with a male partner living with HIV increases during pregnancy and is highest during the postpartum period. Click here to read more about this research presented at the 2018 CROI Conference.