Why do some HIV-positive mothers transmit the virus to their babies while others do not?
Mothers with HIV infection in Kenya transmit the virus to their babies between 30 and 40% of the time. Many factors influence the possibility of transmission. The amount of virus that the mother has in her body and the function of her immune system are the most important factors. But malaria during pregnancy, lack of vitamin A and other nutrients, a long or difficult labour or delivery, and duration of breastfeeding may also contribute to babies becoming infected. There are now ways to prevent the transmission of mother-to-child HIV transmissionby using drugs in pregnancy, labour and after delivery; by giving good antenatal and delivery care; and by advising on appropriate feeding (see p. 35, Interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission’).
