Implementation and Uptake of Raltegravir Granules in Newborns Diagnosed With HIV Through Birth Testing in Maternity Settings in Zimbabwe During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2023 Jul 1;42(7):573-575. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003906. Epub 2023 Mar 20.

Abstract

Zimbabwe introduced raltegravir (RAL) granules at 14 facilities providing point-of-care HIV birth testing, aiming to initiate all newborns with HIV on a RAL-based regimen. From June 2020 to July 2021, we tested 3172 of the 6989 (45%) newborns exposed to HIV; we diagnosed 59(2%) with HIV infection, of whom 27 (46%) initiated RAL. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease pandemic exacerbated supply chain and trained provider shortages, contributing to low birth testing, RAL uptake and 6-month viral load testing.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pandemics
  • Pregnancy
  • Raltegravir Potassium / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Load
  • Zimbabwe / epidemiology

Substances

  • Raltegravir Potassium
  • Anti-HIV Agents