Vertical transmission of HIV to neonates in a reference hospital in Northeastern Brazil from 2013 to 2017

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo 2023-01, Vol.65, p.e34-10
• Main Authors: Figueredo, Vaneça Santos Leal, Monteiro, Denise Leite Maia, Batista, Rosângela Fernandes Lucena, Gama, Mônica Elinor Alves, Campos, Aline Santos Furtado, Pinto, Adna Gesarone Carvalho Ferreira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Births; Breastfeeding & lactation; Condoms; Disease prevention; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Original; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Womens health
• ISSN: 1678-9946; 0036-4665; 1678-9946
• DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946202365034

The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of Mother-to-child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV to neonates in a reference university hospital in Sao Luis city, the capital of Maranhao State (MA), evaluating MTCT-associated factors. A retrospective cohort study based on data from the Notifiable Diseases Data System (SINAN) was carried out and included all HIV-exposed neonates notified from 2013 to 2017 by the university hospital. The study population comprised 725 HIV-exposed neonates, of whom 672 neonates were exposed and uninfected, and 53 were exposed and infected. The estimated rate of MTCT in the period of 2013 to 2017 was 7.3%. Most pregnant women were ≥ 20 years old (86.9%), reported ≥ 8 years of schooling (53.2%), reported full-time or independent paid work (46.9%) and were residents in other cities of the state (61.7%). Regarding healthcare, 86.3% received prenatal care, 74.6% received Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as prophylaxis during pregnancy, 81.8% received ART prophylaxis during childbirth and 78.1% underwent cesarean section. Among the neonates, 92.8% received ART prophylaxis and 94.3% were not breastfed. Despite these variables, the 7.3% MTCT rate found in this study makes it clear that the interventions recommended by the Ministry of Health were not fully adopted.