Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Prevention Strategies and Health Outcomes
Summary
Mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV remains a principal source of paediatric infection globally, primarily occurring during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding. Landmark advances in antiretroviral therapy, from zidovudine monotherapy to combination regimens and option B+, have reduced transmission rates from over 25% to below 5% in many settings. Key strategies include universal antenatal screening, maternal ART initiation irrespective of CD4 count, neonatal prophylaxis, safe delivery practices and exclusive breastfeeding. Health outcomes have improved markedly where programmes achieve early maternal diagnosis, high adherence and integrated postnatal follow‐up, though socio‐economic and geographic disparities persist. Efforts towards elimination demand robust monitoring, community engagement and health‐system strengthening to ensure equitable access and continuity of care.
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Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Prevention Strategies and Health Outcomes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in mother-to-child transmission of hiv: prevention strategies and health outcomes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Vertical transmission: The passage of HIV from a pregnant individual to their child during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART): A combination of medications that suppress HIV replication to reduce viral load and prevent transmission.
Neonatal prophylaxis: Administration of antiretroviral drugs to a newborn to prevent establishment of HIV infection.
Exclusive breastfeeding: Feeding an infant only breast milk for the first six months, without supplemental food or water, to reduce mixing‐related infection risks.
Mixed feeding: A feeding practice where breast milk is combined with other foods or liquids, associated with increased transmission risk.
Option B+: A PMTCT strategy recommending lifelong ART for all pregnant and breastfeeding individuals living with HIV, regardless of clinical stage or CD4 count.
References
- Sociodemographic characteristics of children born to HIV-infected mothers in Western French Guiana. Journal of Infection and Public Health (2023).
- Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EMTCT): Process, progress, and program integration. PLOS Medicine (2017).
- Prevalence of vertical HIV infection and its risk factors among HIV exposed infants in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Tropical Medicine and Health (2020).
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