Maternal human immunodeficiency virus infection and pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE

A longitudinal study to determine the natural history of HIV-1 infection in pregnancy, infancy and early childhood was carried out in Ndola, Zambia.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Kabushi and Chifubu clinics.

SUBJECTS

A total of 965 women attending antenatal care were screened for anti-HIV antibodies using the Welcozyme test. All reactive sera were confirmed by Western Blot. One hundred and fifty seropositive pregnant women (cases) with their age and parity matched pregnant control (seronegative) were recruited into the study. They were followed up through delivery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

personal characteristics, socio-economic and other risk factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anti HIV-1 antibodies among the 965 women was 15.5pc. Results of baseline data between the two groups of women indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) in the following variables; marital status, outcome of last pregnancy, whether last child is still alive, history of herpes zoster, lymphadenopathy, dermatitis, oral thrush and mean haemoglobin level. There were no differences in the incidence of abortions, stillbirths and neonatal deaths. However, the mean birth weight of babies born out of seropositive women was significantly lower than babies of seronegative women.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that HIV-1 infection in pregnancy is associated with low birth weight.