CURRENT CONCEPTS - MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF THE HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

Heterosexual transmission is responsible for most infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The increase in pediatric HIV infection has had a substantial impact on childhood mortality, both in industrialized countries, such as the United States,1 and in developing countries.2 In some areas in sub-Saharan Africa, 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women are HIV-infected, and infection is now spreading to parts of Southeast Asia. Reporting of pediatric cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to public health authorities, registers of HIV-infected children, and unlinked anonymous testing of antenatal and neonatal blood samples make it possible to monitor the prevalence. © 1995, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.