Prevalence of HIV Seropositive pregnant women and their vertical transmission rate at Srinagarind Hospital

Abstract

Objectives : To assess the prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women and to study HIV vertical transmission at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: The data of all known HIV seropositive women attending the antenatal clinic and giving birth at Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen Province during 1999-2008 were collected from their medical records. The inclusion criteria were the HIV infected pregnant women who were enrolled to our Prevention of HIV Perinatal Transmission Program and received the antiretroviral drugs for the prevention of HIV perinatal transmission. Moreover, all of the newborns received only formula feeding and their peripheral blood were tested for HIV by PCR technique at 6 weeks and 6 months after birth and for HIV-antibody (Ab) by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) at 18 months. The infants were concluded to be HIV infected by either at least 2 positive PCR or a positive HIV-Ab. After delivery, both mother and baby would be followed up for 2 years.

Results: From 1999-2008, there were 30,926 women attended antenatal clinic and giving birth at Srinagarind Hospital. There were 28,497 (92.64%) whom received pre-test counseling and HIV testing, 154 (0.54%) were HIV seropositive. Their average age was 27.87 years, 51(32.12%) were primigravida. The average gestational age at birth was 38.10 weeks, 43 (27.92%) of the patients were delivered by cesarean section because of obstetric indications. One hundred and four children were follow-up according to schedule. The overall vertical transmission rate was 4.80%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women at Srinagarind Hospital was 0.54% and the vertical transmission rate was 4.80%. Compared with the national statistics, our HIV prevalence and vertical transmission rate are lower. However, comprehensive perinatal HIV prevention programs to reduce the vertical transmission rate of HIV closely to zero might be possible in the near future.