Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Is it possible in resource limited setting?
Keywords:
Paediatric HIV, AIDS, PTCT, vertical transmissiomAbstract
Title: Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: is it possible in resource limited setting?
Objective: To determine the response of Prophylactic Anti Retrovirus Treatment in preventing Parent to Child Transmission in infants exposed to HIV.
Study Design: Descriptive Study
Place and Duration: Paediatric HIV Treatment Centre, DR Ruth Pfau K M Civil Hospital, Karachi. 1stDecember 2010 to 31st December 2020
Material and Methods: The data of infants born to HIV positive women registered from 1st December 2010 to 31st December 2020 who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was analysed. This population was divided into low and high risk groups based on maternal viral load and treatment received. The infants were started on single or double ART immediately, depending on risk status of mother and this was continued for 6 weeks of life. All infants had viral load checked through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) at 6 weeks and 18 months of life as per protocol.
Results: Total of 85 infants were registered. Out of these 48 were males and 37 were females. 80 (94%) mothers were at low risk for HIV transmission. Respectively three (3.52% ) and four infants (4.7%) were positive at six weeks and eighteen months of age. Two babies (2.36%) expired. In this study 95% of babies were prevented from vertical HIV transmission.
Recommendation:
Timely identification and initiation of early prophylaxis is crucial for PTCT.
Above can be achieved by making HIV testing widely available as part of antenatal screening.
