Prevention of HIV infection transmission from mother to child in Romania - a simultaneous objective and challenge

The latest WHO data regarding HIV/AIDS infection have revealed the real dimension of this epidemic. In Romania, in 2011 out of 619 new detected cases, 19 represented children between 0-14 years. Vertical transmission was recorded for 16 (2.6%) of these cases. Within this epidemiological context, mother to child transmission continues to represent a top theme, which determined us to continue with the observations initiated in 2000 on this phenomenon. Purpose of the study : The follow up of the evolution of a certain number of perinatally exposed children to HIV infection throughout 11 years, based on several risk factors: time of birth, time of the mother's and child's diagnosis; type of birth; type of nourishment for the newborn. Methods : During 01.01.2000-31.12.2011, 435 children from all around the country were included in the study and assessed at I.N.B.I "Prof. Dr. M. Bals" in Bucharest, with ages between 0-18 months. They were clinically and biologically evaluated until the age of 18 months. Relevant data on the children were recorded: gender, age, time of diagnosis, ART prophylaxis (YES or NO), type of birth and nourishment, CD4 count, VL at the initial time and at the end of the surveillance period. For mothers we focused on: age, environment, level of education, occupation, time of HIV diagnosis, treatment/prophylaxis, type of birth, CD4 and VL at birth (data obtained from medical records or anamnesis). Results : Out of the surveyed 435 children, 16% were considered infected with HIV. This rate decreased in stages, from 45% in 2005 to 17% in 2010. The main transmission causes were late HIV diagnosis in the mother, lack of prophylaxis/treatment for mothers, natural birth, breastfeeding, lack of prophylaxis in children or tardiness in initiating it. Conclusions : The rate of HIV transmission is still very high. The elimination of this infection route is globally considered a realistic objective of public health policies. In this sense, the collaboration and active involvement of specialists from various medical and social domains is a necessity. (Published: 11 November 2012) Citation: Abstracts of the Eleventh International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection Petre C et al. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2012, 15 (Suppl 4):18257 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/18257 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.15.6.18257