In the absence of intervention, the rate of vertical transmission of HIV
can range from 15-45%. With the inclusion of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy
and the choice of delivery route this amounts to less than 2%. However ARV use during
pregnancy has generated several questions regarding the adverse effects of the
gestational and neonatal outcome. This study aims to analyze the risk factors for
vertical transmission of HIV-1 seropositive pregnant women living in Rio Grande and
the influence of the use of ARVs in pregnancy outcome. Among the 262 pregnant women
studied the rate of vertical transmission of HIV was found to be 3.8%. Regarding the
VT, there was a lower risk of transmission when antiretroviral drugs were used and
prenatal care was conducted at the referral service. However, the use of ART did not
influence the outcome of pregnancy. However, initiation of prenatal care after the
first trimester had an influence on low birth weight, as well as performance of less
than six visits increased the risk of prematurity. Therefore, the risk factors
analyzed in this study appear to be related to the realization of inadequate
pre-natal and maternal behavior.