[Reducing perinatal transmission by antiretroviral therapy].

In 1994 the results of Pediatric AIDS Trials Group (PACTG) Protocol 076 documented that AZT chemoprophylaxis could reduce perinatal HIV-transmission by 67%. Epidemiologic data have since confirmed the efficacy of AZT for reduction of perinatal transmission and have extended this efficacy to children of women with advanced disease, low CD4 cell count and prior AZT therapy. Additionally substantial advances have been made in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the HIV-infection, and in the treatment and monitoring of HIV-disease. These advances have resulted in changes in standard antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected adults as well as in children and pregnant women. Antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy has two goals: optimizing therapy for the mother and prevention of perinatal transmission. It has to be taken into account that there are only a few data on short and long term effects on the fetus and newborn.