Missed opportunities to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV in Italy. Issue 5 (29th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Biagio, A; Taramasso, L; Gustinetti, G; Burastero, G; Giacomet, V; La Rovere, D; Genovese, O; Giaquinto, C; Rampon, O; Carloni, I; Hyppolite, TK; Palandri, L; Bernardi, S; Bruzzese, E; Badolato, R; Gabiano, C; Chiappini, E; De Martino, M; Galli, L
• Other Names: Osimani Patrizia investigator.; Larovere Domenico investigator.; Ruggeri Maurizio investigator.; Pession Andrea investigator.; Faldella Giacomo investigator.; Capra Francesca investigator.; Pulcini Sara investigator.; Zattoni Valentina investigator.; Dotta Laura investigator.; Aliffi Antonia investigator.; Anastasio Elisa investigator.; Fiumana Elisa investigator.; Gervaso Paola investigator.; Montagnani Carlotta investigator.; Viscoli Claudio investigator.; Erba Paola investigator.; Zuccotti GianVincenzo investigator.; Benincaso Annarita investigator.; Salvini Filippo investigator.; Lipreri Rita investigator.; Esposito Susanna investigator.; Plebani Anna investigator.; Tagliabue Claudia investigator.; Giubbarelli Francesca investigator.; Nicastro Emanuele investigator.; Lo Vecchio Andrea investigator.; Buffolano Wilma investigator.; Agnese Maura investigator.; Romano Amelia investigator.; Marcello Saitta investigator.; Giaquinto Carlo investigator.; Pennazzato Martina investigator.; Consolini Rita investigator.; Dodi Icilio investigator.; Zanaboni Domenico investigator.; Palma Paolo investigator.; Pontrelli Giuseppe investigator.; Tchidjou Hyppolite investigator.; Mazza Antonio investigator.; Tovo Pier Angelo investigator.; Silvestro Erika investigator.; Virano Silvia investigator.; Portelli Vincenzo investigator.; Pellegatta Antonio investigator.;
• Is Part Of: HIV medicine. Volume 20:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 330
• Page End: 336
• Publication Date: 2019-03-29
• Subjects: children -- HIV -- missed opportunities -- mothers -- newborns -- pregnancy; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV-positive persons -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Decision making -- Periodicals; 616.9792
• DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12728
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-2662

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Vertical transmission of HIV can be effectively controlled through antenatal screening, antiretroviral treatment and the services provided during and after childbirth for mother and newborn. In Italy, the National Health Service guarantees universal access to prenatal care for all women, including women with HIV infection. Despite this, children are diagnosed with HIV infection every year. The aim of the study was to identify missed opportunities for prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV. Methods: The Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children, which was started in 1985 and involves 106 hospitals throughout the country, collects data on all new cases of HIV infection in children. For this analysis, we reviewed the database for the period 2005 to 2015. Results: We found 79 HIV‐1‐infected children newly diagnosed after birth in Italy. Thirty‐two of the mothers were Italian. During the pregnancy, only 15 of 19 women with a known HIV diagnosis were treated with antiretroviral treatment, while, of 34 women who had received an HIV diagnosis before labour began, only 23 delivered by caesarean section and 17 received intrapartum prophylaxis. In 25 mothers, HIV infection was diagnosed during pregnancy or in the peripartum period. Thirty‐one newborns received antiretroviral prophylaxis and 39 received infant formula. Conclusions: We found an unacceptable number of missed opportunities to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission (MCTC). Eliminating HIV MTCT is a universal World Health Organization goal. Elucidating organization failures in Italy over the past decade should help to improve early diagnosis and to reach the zero transmission target in newborns.