Are all babies born of HIV positive women automatically infected with the HIV virus?
There have been many advances in the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child. Without any treatment, the risk of transmission is one in four, about 25% chance. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk to less than 2% • Prenatal care (attending all visits) • Infectious Disease care (attending all visits) • Antiretroviral medications that include AZT taken on schedule during pregnancy to achieve an undetectable viral load Note: Some women may not be placed on AZT due to previous resistance -the infectious disease specialist will consult with the obstetrician. • Intravenous AZT during delivery • Oral AZT syrup (and if needed other antiretroviral medications) to the baby for four or six weeks after birth depending on the regimen. • Formula feeding (Breastfeeding should be avoided as this significantly increases the risk of transmission through the breastmilk.) • Early infant bath, immediately after birth • Pediatric infectious disease experts or other pedia
