Perinatal Exposure to HIV Infection: The Experience of Craiova Regional Centre, Romania

Abstract

Background and objectives: HIV infection in pregnant women can be responsible for a number of consequences during pregnancy, such as: maternal anaemia, miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth. The objectives of this study were to determine the maternal–foetal transmission rate of HIV among pregnant women living with HIV from Craiova Regional Centre in order to assess the risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to identify the characteristics of newborns perinatally exposed to HIV. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020, including children born to HIV-positive mothers. Results: The studied group included 138 newborns and was divided into two subgroups: group A, which included 10 HIV-infected infants; and group B, which included 128 uninfected infants. The mother-to-child transmission rate was 3.5% for women to whom all prophylaxis standards were applied. We found a statistically significant correlation between the level of maternal HIV viremia and perinatal HIV transmission (p = 0.01). Preterm birth and low birth weight were associated with perinatal transmission of the infection. Conclusions: Perinatal transmission of HIV infection during our study was associated with inconsistent application of screening for HIV infection among pregnant women, lack of antiretroviral therapy, poor adherence to treatment, and detectable HIV viral load during pregnancy.

Mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus among pregnant women with single, dual or triplex infections of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The pooled MTCT rate of 2.74% for HIV was lower than 3.6% reported in Swaziland, 38 3.5% in Romania, 39 3·1% in Israel, 40 but higher than 1% reported in Oman 41 and 0% reported in Brazil. 42 Although the pooled MTCT rate of 2.74% is reported in this study, this is not a reflection of good PMTCT program in Nigeria because Nigeria still accounts for the highest number of new pediatric HIV infections in the world.…”

“…The principal findings in this systematic review were that the rate of MTCT of HIV was 2.74% and HBV was 55.49% among mother-infant pairs with mono-infection of HIV and HBV respectively. We identified no completed studies examining The pooled MTCT rate of 2.74% for HIV was lower than 3.6% reported in Swaziland, 38 3.5% in Romania, 39 3•1% in Israel, 40 but higher than 1% reported in Oman 41 and 0% reported in Brazil. 42 Although the pooled MTCT rate of 2.74% is reported in this study, this is not a reflection of good PMTCT program in Nigeria because Nigeria still accounts for the highest number of new pediatric HIV infections in the world.…”

A Real-Life Action toward the End of HIV Pandemic: Surveillance of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in a Center from Southeast Romania

“…The yearly number of Romanian newborns in the whole country with perinatal HIV infections has varied in the last 10 years from 6 to 28 cases, meaning between 0.7% and 4.6% of the new cases yearly, distributed by the means of transmission [ 10 ]. The perinatal transmission rate reported in other Romanian centers varied between 3% and 7% [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The result of our study, was “zero maternal-fetal infections”, strengthening the regional hope of eradicating HIV infections.…”

“…No maternal deaths were recorded in our center. At the same time, WHO statistics for Romania indicate zero maternal deaths associated with HIV and an overall maternal mortality rate with a declining trend, up to 5.2/100,000 births [ 16 ]. The perinatal mortality rate declined worldwide, and the discrepancy between children born to HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers has been narrowed [ 22 ].…”

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Risky Sexual Behaviours among Clients Attending HIV Testing Service in Ogun State, Nigeria

“…The authors, therefore, suggested that addressing these factors can help increase the number of people engaging in HTS services, possibly modifying their engagement in high-risk behaviours. [24] There is demand for HTS (people want to know their HIV serostatus), and demand can also be created when comprehensive services are made available and stigma is reduced. An increasing number of countries are rapidly addressing the quality and quantity of care-related programs.…”