Maternal age, infant age, feeding options, single/multiple pregnancy, type of twin sets and mother-to-child transmission of HIV

J Trop Pediatr. 2019 Jun 1;65(3):280-286. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmy049.

Abstract

Background: Some risk factors for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV have been identified. To further reduce MTCT, other risk factors were evaluated.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study on early infant diagnosis was conducted. Two-sided chi-square test was used to assess associations with infant HIV status.

Results: A total of 15 233 HIV-infected mothers and 15 404 infants were recruited. MTCT rate was 9.34%. Only 3.8% of infants born to mothers on antiretroviral treatment were infected. Under nevirapine, 4.1% of infants were infected. MTCT increased with infant' age at testing. Younger mothers tend to transmit more HIV (P = 0.003). More children were infected in single pregnancies compared with multiple pregnancies, P < 0.001. There were more infections in male-female twins' sets (P = 0.037).

Conclusions: Maternal age, type of pregnancy and twins' sets are new MTCT risk factors. Strategies to further decrease transmission through family planning, pre/post natal consultations and clinical practices are needed.

Keywords: ART; Vertical transmission; feeding option; maternal and infant age; single and multiple pregnancies; twin sets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Breast Feeding / adverse effects*
  • Cameroon / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Maternal Age
  • Mothers
  • Nevirapine / administration & dosage*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy, Multiple
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Nevirapine