Surveillance of mother-to-child transmission prevention programmes at immunization clinics: the case for universal screening

AIDS. 2007 Jun 19;21(10):1341-7. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32814db7d4.

Abstract

Background: Surveillance programmes for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) fail to quantify numbers of infant HIV infections averted, often because of poor postnatal follow-up. Additionally, infected infants are often not identified early and only gain access to comprehensive HIV care and treatment late in their disease.

Methods: Anonymous, unlinked, HIV prevalence testing was conducted on dried blood spot (DBS) samples from all infants attending 6 week immunization clinics at seven primary health care clinics offering PMTCT. Samples were tested for HIV antibodies (indicating maternal HIV infection) and those determined to be from HIV-exposed infants were tested for HIV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Infant and child mortality rates were determined using birth histories.

Results: Samples were collected from 2489 infants aged 4-8 weeks. HIV antibodies were identified in 931 infants [37.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 35.4-39.4], of whom 188 were HIV RNA positive. The estimated vertical transmission rate (VTR) was 20.2% (95% CI, 17.8-23.1%); 7.5% of all infants at this age were infected. Amongst mothers who reported that they had taken single-dose nevirapine for PMTCT, VTR was 15.0%. Amongst women who reported being HIV uninfected but whose infants had HIV antibodies, VTR was 30.5%. Infant mortality rates in KwaZulu Natal increased from 28/1000 live births in 1990-1994 to 92/1000 in 2000-2004.

Conclusions: Anonymous HIV prevalence screening of all infants at immunization clinics is feasible to monitor the impact of PMTCT programmes on peripartum infection; linked screening could identify infected children early for referral into care and treatment programmes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / analysis
  • HIV Infections / mortality
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Infant
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mothers
  • Nevirapine / administration & dosage
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • South Africa / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral
  • Nevirapine