1. State mandated prenatal human immunodeficiency virus screening at a large community hospital.
- Author
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Cusick W, Stewart J, Parry M, McLeod G, Rakos G, Sullivan C, and Rodis J
- Subjects
- Connecticut, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, HIV Infections diagnosis, Hospitals, Community, Mandatory Testing statistics & numerical data, Prenatal Diagnosis statistics & numerical data, State Government
- Abstract
Purpose: To describe the initial experience of state mandated prenatal HIV screening at a large community hospital., Methods: HIV screening was provided to all pregnant women as of October 1, 1999. All HIV-positive women identified received aggressive antiretroviral therapy to reduce the likelihood for vertical transmission. Neonates were screened for HIV at zero, six, and 12 months of age., Results: Seven pregnant women (0.3%) and two additional family members tested positive for HIV. All seven infants born to the identified HIV-positive women have tested negative for infection. We estimated that six of nine cases of HIV infection identified would have been missed under a policy of voluntary HIV screening., Conclusions: Universal screening for HIV in pregnancy is achievable and desirable and provides the best opportunity to minimize the number of new neonatal HIV infections.
- Published
- 2003