Characterization of children infected with HIV due to mother-to-child transmission in hospitals in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Despite strategies to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infected children continue to be born. The aim of this study was to describe the status of children infected with HIV due to mother-to-child transmission. Between 2012 and 2018, 84 children were born with HIV in hospitals in Lima and Callao. Of the 68 cases included in this study, 82% of the mothers did not receive antiretroviral treatment and 25% had a negative HIV test during pregnancy. As for the children, 59% were diagnosed with HIV after one year of age, 82% had a viral load below 1,000 copies and 87% were considered healthy. Early diagnosis and treatment of the child with HIV is associated with better quality of life. It is necessary to carry out studies to identify the critical aspects of prenatal care in order to eliminate vertical HIV transmission.