1. Cesarean delivery for HIV-infected women: recommendations and controversies.
- Author
-
Jamieson DJ, Read JS, Kourtis AP, Durant TM, Lampe MA, and Dominguez KL
- Subjects
- Cost-Benefit Analysis, Female, Health Care Costs, Humans, Pregnancy, Risk Assessment, Cesarean Section adverse effects, Cesarean Section economics, Cesarean Section statistics & numerical data, Cesarean Section trends, HIV Infections transmission, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical prevention & control, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
- Abstract
Two studies that were published in 1999 demonstrated that cesarean delivery before labor and before the rupture of membranes (elective cesarean delivery) reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). On the basis of these results, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the US Public Health Service recommend that HIV-infected pregnant women with plasma viral loads of >1000 copies per milliliter be counseled regarding the benefits of elective cesarean delivery. Since the release of these guidelines, the cesarean delivery rate among HIV-infected women in the United States has increased dramatically. Major postpartum morbidity is uncommon, and cesarean delivery among HIV-infected women is relatively safe and cost-effective. However, a number of important questions remain unanswered, including whether cesarean delivery has a role among HIV-infected women with low plasma viral loads or who receive combination antiretroviral regimens.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF