Reduction in the vertical transmission during the prenatal period of pregnant women affected by HIV/ AIDS

Abstract

SUMMARY Objective: To demonstrate that the use of combined antiretroviral therapy is more effective than the use of AZT in monotherapy (1st phase ACTG 076) during prenatal period of pregnant women affected by HIV/AIDS. Material and Methods: Longitudinal, descriptive and quantitatively approached study carried out at SAE Materno-Infantil from Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley at Universidade Federal da Paraíba – Brazil, in the period of April 1997 to April 2005. There were 209 pregnant women who were HIV+ or had AIDS as part of this study, enrolled in the prenatal assistance of the referred specialized service and their babies, who were exposed to HIV. Results: There was an HIV transmission rate of 0,9% of infected babies whose mothers made use of AZT (Zidovudine) in monotherapy and of 100% of non-infected babies when the antiretroviral therapy combined with AZT+3TC+NFV (Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Nelfinavir) was used. Conclusion: The use of combined antiretroviral therapy reduces the maternal viral load, consequently reducing the vertical transmission rate to below 1%, while AZT in monotherapy does not significantly reduce the maternal viral load, raising the transmission rate of HIV < or = 2%, for the baby. DESCRIPTORS Vertical transmission. HIV. Monotherapy. Combined therapy.