Supervisors info:
Καντζανού Μαρία, Επίκ. Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρικής, ΕΚΠΑ
Γιάννης Τούντας, Καθηγητής, Ιατρικής, ΕΚΠΑ
Βασιλική Μπενέτου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια , Ιατρικής, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
This study aims to focus at the management of the vertical transmission prevention of HIV during the period of financial crisis and immigration. Retrospectively, the cohort of all the HIV positive mothers and their newborns, that gave birth during the years 2011-20018 at “Helena Venizelou”, a central maternity hospital of Athens, was studied. Our sample consists of 65 neonates born to 63 HIV positive mothers (2 couples of twins). Among them, of Greek origin are 31/63 (47%) mothers, with history of intravenous substance use 19/63 (30,1%) and mothers originating from regions were HIV is endemic 20/63 (31,7%). According to the international protocols and our national strategy, combined triple regiment is provided to all pregnant HIV positive women, provided that they have had follow up and compliance. Follow up evaluation have had 41/63 (63%). Every neonate from the 65 included in this study received a single regiment, or combination of two or three drugs depending on the mother’s risk factors. All but one neonate, did 1/65 (1,5%) have positive HIV PCR at birth.
We attempt to give an insight into the HIV mother-neonate group national registry. Through this approach, concern regarding the demands of the HIV positive Greek population and the currently immigrating population is arising.
The present study, among others, shows that the mothers that have acquired HIV after their adolescence, such as via intravenous substance use, since they are for a short period of time HIV carriers, are more likely to reach viral clearance before labor if proper treatment and follow up is provided. On the other hand, those mothers that originate from endemic regions is more possible to have acquired the virus from their own birth. So, being carriers throughout their lives they retain positive, even low viral load, till their pregnancy and labor. It appears that these mothers are more likely to have positive viral load before labor, shorter follow up period and shorter duration of treatment close to time of labor. Thus, as demonstrated during the 2011-2018 economic crisis, accessibility to Health Care Services becomes crucial for migrating populations, therefore we proceed to the proposals based on realistic needs, which can attribute to the design of appropriate Health Services infrastructures.
Keywords:
Seropositive HIV (+) neonate/newborn, Seropositive HIV (+) mother, Immigrating populations, Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)
