Perinatal Transmission of HIV: Recognition and Treatment Interventions.

Great strides have been made in the fight against vertical transmission of HIV-1. Improved understanding of mechanisms and timing of transmission of HIV-1 from mother to child have led to the development of effective intervention strategies that have reduced transmission rates to unprecedented low levels, below 2% in developed countries. New reports using shortened, more affordable courses of antiretrovirals prenatally or at the time of delivery have also shown a significant reduction in transmission, over 50% in studies conducted in the developing world. These advances, combined with ongoing studies using simplified effective treatment regimens, have made possible the potential to significantly reduce perinatal transmission worldwide. Future challenges include reduction of breast feeding transmission and the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine to produce long-lasting protection.