A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 24 CHILDREN BORN TO INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS INFECTED WITH HIV

Between October 1985 and February 1987. screening for HIV antibodies was carried out in 39 pregnant heroin addicts. Twenty four women (15 prostitutes) were found to be antibody positive on both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay end Western blot procedures. Detection of HIV antigens in serum was negetive in all cases and there was no clinicel evidence of AIDS or AIDS-related complex in any of the mothers et the time of delivery. Twenty four infants were born to these women. Antibodies against HIV were detected at birth, by both techniques in all children. Identification or anti-HIV antibodies by Western blot electrotransfer showed identical petterns when serum samples from each mother and child were compared. Two additional patients, aged 7 end 14 months, whose mothers were also drug abusers were referred to our hospital with clinicel and laboratory features of AIDS-ralatad complex. Their antibody response against viral proteins was different from the response of their seropositive mothers. Mean period of follow-up was 8 months (range 2 to 17). Of the ten infants above the age of 6 months. 6 became seronegative (at a mean age of 8 months) and 4 were lost of the follow-up study. The remaining 14 children (below the age of 6 months) were still positive but clinically healthy. Antibodies against polypeptide p24 were found to be the most persistant. Conclusions: High incidence of HIV infection among pregnant addicts in our city. Passively transferred antibodies dissapear at a mean age of 8 months.