[Obstetrical management of a patient with HIV infection].

In light of the increasing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in women, the role of the obstetricians-gynecologists in the management of the HIV seropositive patients should increase, for these reasons is needed to improve their knowledge about HIV infection. The perinatal transmission are the principal route of infection in children, prospective studies have informed a maternal-fetal transmission rate between 25 to 35%. HIV may be transmitted to an infant via the placenta. Caesarean delivery appears to play little o no role in preventing neonatal disease. Diverse studies suggest that rates of perinatal transmission may be increased in women with CD4 counts of less than 400/mm3, and in women in the later stages of illness. Pregnant women whose CD4 counts are less than 500/mm3 should receive zidovudine, preferably beyond the first trimester. All the health care workers must rigorously follow the recommendations for minimizing the risk of occupational transmission of HIV.