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Background: Reproductive-age women comprise approximately 25% of all persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. HIV infection and smoking during pregnancy are independent risk factors for adverse fetal outcomes. We examined predictors of fetal growth restriction among infants born to HIV-infected mothers who smoke cigarettes in pregnancy., Methods: We analyzed hospital discharge data linked to birth records from the state of Florida for 1998-2007 (N = 1,645,209). The outcomes of interest included: low and very low birth weight (LBW and VLBW), preterm and very preterm birth (PTB and VPTB), and small for gestational age (SGA). We calculated adjusted rate ratios (ARR) for these outcomes by HIV/AIDS status, smoking status, and sociodemographic variables. We also examined the association between the observed fetal morbidity outcomes and the interaction between HIV/AIDS and smoking status. We employed the generalized estimating equation framework to correct for intracluster correlations., Results: All fetal morbidity outcomes were more common in mothers who had HIV/AIDS, regardless of smoking status. Maternal HIV status and cigarette use were independent predictors of LBW, PTB, and SGA, with morbidity effects more prominent in HIV-infected mothers who smoke cigarettes. We observed a significant interaction between maternal HIV and smoking status, in which mothers who were HIV positive and smoked during pregnancy experienced the greatest risks for LBW (ARR = 2.24 [1.89-2.65]), SGA (ARR = 1.95 [1.67-2.29]), and PTB (ARR = 1.70 [1.42-2.03])., Conclusions: HIV-infected mothers who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy have a heightened risk for adverse fetal morbidity outcomes. There is a need for integration of smoking cessation interventions into ongoing HIV/AIDS programs.

This study sought to examine the association between maternal HIV/AIDS infection and neonatal neurologic conditions in the state of Florida. We analyzed all births in the state of Florida from 1998 to 2007 using hospital discharge data linked to birth certificate records. The main outcomes of interest included selected neonatal neurologic complications, namely: fetal distress, cephalohematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, seizure, feeding difficulties, and other central nervous system complications. The sample size for this study was 1,645,515 records. All forms of substance abuse as well as cesarean section deliveries were more frequent in mothers with HIV/AIDS. Infants born to HIV-infected mothers showed higher proportions of feeding difficulties and seizures whereas HIV-negative mothers had a greater proportion of cases of fetal distress and cephalohematoma. Seizures and feeding difficulties are common among infants born to HIV/AIDS infected mothers. This population-based retrospective cohort study provides further understanding of the association between maternal HIV/AIDS status and neonatal neurological outcomes.

Background and Aims: To examine the association between maternal hepatitis B and C mono- and co-infections with singleton pregnancy outcomes in the state of Florida., Methods: We analysed all Florida births from 1998 to 2007 using birth certificate records linked to hospital discharge data. The main outcomes of interest were selected pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), fetal distress, neonatal jaundice and congenital anomaly., Results: The study sample consisted of 1,670,369 records. Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and all forms of substance abuse were more frequent in mothers with hepatitis B and C infection. After using multivariable modelling to adjust for important socio-demographical variables and obstetric complications, women with hepatitis C infection were more likely to have infants born preterm [odds ratio (OR), 1.40; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.15-1.72], with LBW (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.11-1.74) and congenital anomaly (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.14-2.11). In addition, women with hepatitis B infection were less likely to have infants born SGA (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.95)., Conclusions: Our findings provide further understanding of the association between maternal hepatitis B or C carrier status and perinatal outcomes. Infants born to women with hepatitis C infection appear to be at risk for poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth, LBW and congenital anomaly., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)