Promising Results for Preventing HIV MTCT in Resource-Limited Settings

Two recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and summarized here in Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, describe promising approaches to reducing HIV MTCT in the developing world.

The first study conducted at antenatal clinics in Malawi examined the efficacy of a maternal triple-drug antiretroviral regimen or infant nevirapine in reducing postpartum HIV transmission during 28 weeks of breastfeeding. The estimated risk of HIV-1 infection between 2 and 28 weeks was 5.7% in the control group, 2.9% in the maternal-regimen group (P=0.009), and 1.7% in the infant -regimen group (P<0.001). In this study, both a maternal ARV regimen and an infant nevirapine regimen during breastfeeding effectively reduced postnatal HIV-1 transmission.

The second study looked to determine if there is a preferable HAART regimen administered during pregnancy and for 6 months postpartum for the prevention of MTCT. All regimens evaluated reduced transmission to very low levels.

To learn more about these studies to prevent HIV transmission in breastfeeding populations in resource-limited countries, click on the links below.

Citation:
Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey: November 2010 - Volume 65 - Issue 11 - pp 689-691. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0b013e318202205c.


Original Article 1 (Subscription may be required)

Abstract 1

Original Article 2 (Subscription may be required)

Abstract 2