Mother-to-Child AIDS HIV Virus Transmission

Women infected with HIV can pass the virus to their unborn and newborn children in several ways. A pregnant woman can transmit the virus to the fetus through the placenta into the fetal bloodstream (Jovaisas, Koch, Schafer, Stauber, & Lowenthal, 1985). Delivery can also cause infection in newborns via the ingestion of blood or other maternal fluids (Scott et al., 1985). Finally, a mother can pass the virus to the newborn child through breast milk. This last route of transmission was demonstrated when three women who were infected by transfusions after giving birth subsequently infected their children (Curran et al., 1988).

Estimates of the likelihood of HIV transmission from an infected mother to her child vary widely. One commonly heard estimate is 30% to 50% (Centers for Disease Control, 1987). As with other routes of transmission, the rate may be affected by the mother's clinical status during pregnancy and at birth. Several studies suggest that the risk of transmission is higher when mothers have HIV-related symptoms during pregnancy (Mok et al., 1987; Piot et al., 1988). It is estimated that about 80% of all children with AIDS acquired the virus before or during birth.

Determining whether or not babies are infected with HIV is difficult, as a baby acquires its mother's antibodies and retains them for up to 2 years. During this period babies will test positive for HIV, yet many will not actually be infected. The current antibody test is not accurate enough to distinguish between the mother's antibodies and those that the child is making. Thus, symptoms of HIV are often the first true sign that a child is infected (Stine, 1993).
Casual Contact--How HIV Is Not Transmitted

When there is no contact with blood, semen, or vaginal secretions, there is no risk of HIV transmission. Evidence of this is clear from observation of health care workers and family members who have been in close contact with people infected with the virus. Studies examining family members of AIDS patients have shown that only sexual partners of the patient were ever infected with HIV (Peterman, Stoneburner, Allen, Jaffe, & Curran, 1988). No cases of transmission were found even among individuals who bathed, diapered, or slept in the same bed with the infected person. The virus is not spread by sweat; so touching, hugging, and shaking hands with an infected person carry no danger. As the virus is not transmissible via the air, there is no danger from coughing or sneezing. HIV cannot be contracted by using the same phone as used by an infected person, or even the same toilet seat. Moreover, the virus cannot be transmitted via mosquitoes.

Last updated Jan 4/07