General description

Approximately 90% of pediatric HIV infections result from mother-to-child transmission, primarily during childbirth, but also through intrauterine exposure and breastfeeding. The natural transmission rate from an untreated HIV-positive mother to her child is estimated to be around 30%. This risk can be significantly reduced with appropriate interventions.

Mother-to-child transmission is a major concern, and if a mother is unaware of her HIV infection, the risk of transmission to the baby is significant. However, if the infection is diagnosed early in pregnancy and appropriate measures are taken, the transmission rate can be reduced to below 1%. These measures include maternal antiretroviral therapy to control viral load, elective cesarean section, and avoidance of breastfeeding. Maternal HIV screening is crucial, especially in regions where access to testing and preventive measures is limited. While infection can be confirmed through PCR testing of the infant's blood, false negatives are possible in the first two weeks of life.