Introduction to HIV infection in pregnancy

Australasian Society for Infections Diseases (ASID), 2022

The rate of perinatal transmission of HIV is less than 2% when effective prevention strategies are used. These include antepartum antiretroviral treatment of pregnant people with HIV infection to achieve viral suppression, postpartum antiretroviral prophylaxis for infants, and considerations for breastfeeding (also called chestfeeding).

The management of HIV infection in pregnancy is a highly specialised area; early referral and close collaboration between adult and paediatric HIV specialists, and an obstetrician (ideally with experience in HIV management) is essential. For more detailed information, see the guidelines listed in Australian and international HIV guidelines.

This topic may be relevant for any person of childbearing potential; this includes cis-women, trans-men and nonbinary people. Advice is included on:

• General principles of managing HIV infection in pregnancy
• Intrapartum antiretroviral therapy
• Breastfeeding with HIV infection.