The efficacy and tolerability of combination antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy: infant and maternal outcome

Int J STD AIDS. 2000 Apr;11(4):220-3. doi: 10.1258/0956462001915741.

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Caesarean section (CS) delivery significantly reduce the risk of vertically transmitted HIV infection. Attention must focus on determining the optimal management strategy for HIV-positive pregnancies. Guidelines must reflect not only the activity and tolerability of combination ART in pregnancy for mother and infant and the potential short and long-term infant toxicity, but also whether surgical delivery can confer an added benefit if combination ART had reduced plasma viraemia to undetectable levels. To aid the development of management strategies for the Republic of Ireland, a retrospective detailed review of all HIV-positive pregnancies since the introduction of combination ART was undertaken. Since 1997 there have been 25 deliveries to 24 women. Combination ART reduced plasma viraemia to undetectable levels in 76% mothers at delivery. The CS rate was 28% and no unanticipated infant toxicity was encountered. To date no infant has proven infected. Three infants have seroreverted and 24 of 26 infants have had at least 2 negative HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Two infants are less than one month old. In this study, the CS rate of 28% is below that reported from many centres yet no vertical transmission was found. Given the efficacy of ART in reducing plasma viraemia, the additional benefit of CS for these women is questionable.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • HIV-1* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Indinavir / adverse effects
  • Indinavir / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Lamivudine / adverse effects
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Nelfinavir / adverse effects
  • Nelfinavir / therapeutic use
  • Nevirapine / adverse effects
  • Nevirapine / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Ritonavir / adverse effects
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use
  • Saquinavir / adverse effects
  • Saquinavir / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zidovudine / adverse effects
  • Zidovudine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • Lamivudine
  • Zidovudine
  • Indinavir
  • Nevirapine
  • Nelfinavir
  • Saquinavir
  • Ritonavir