Antenatal screening has successfully cut HIV transmission of mother to child to a record low levels, according to a new analysis published today.
In three years just seven children born in the UK and Ireland were born with HIV infection from infected mothers, researchers said.
This represented some 0.27% of infections transmitted from pregnant women, according to the study by University College London, UK.
The findings are reported today in Clinical Infectious Diseases and mark World Aids Day and a new emphasis on screening for HIV.
The latest figures come from the years from 2012 to 2014 and compared with a rate of 2.1% in the first years of this century – and 0.46% in the years from 2010 to 2012.
Women identified as infected during pregnancy are treated intensively – ensuring that 90% have undetectable levels of virus in their blood by the time they give birth.
Researcher Dr Claire Thorne said: “It is uncertain whether the transmission rate will decline further. We are continuing to monitor this as well as the circumstances around the small number of new infant infections, which tend to be highly complex.
“To maintain, or possibly improve on the current rate requires continued early testing for HIV in pregnancy and appropriate support for all women living with HIV – before, during and after their pregnancy.”
Clinical Infectious Diseases 1 December 2016
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