Antiretroviral medications given to women with HIV during pregnancy and labor and to their newborns in the first hours after birth can reduce the mother-to-child vertical transmission rate from 25% to 2% or less. Even instituting maternal therapy during labor and delivery for women who were not treated during pregnancy and neonatal therapy within 24-48 hours after birth can substantially decrease the rate of infection in infants. It is clear that early identification and treatment of HIV not only improves the health of the mother but is the best way to prevent neonatal disease. However, in order to receive treatment, pregnant women must know their HIV status.

 

In September 2008, the College released updated perinatal HIV recommendations, Committee Opinion #418, Prenatal and Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing: Expanded Recommendations . This guideline includes recommendations for prenatal testing, rapid testing at labor and delivery for women with undocumented HIV status, and repeat testing in the third trimester. With the help of additional CDC funding (Grant No. U65-PS000813), ACOG has continued its perinatal HIV prevention activities.