Ultrasound Examination of Pregnant Women Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women is on the rise. Approximately 80,000 women in the United States are currently infected, and the majority of them are of reproductive age. It is estimated that health professionals working in obstetrics will begin to see more women with symptoms of HIV infection. Trends in obstetric research include clinical trials of treatment of HIV-infected pregnant women with zidovudine and the potential use of ultrasound-guided invasive testing of the fetus to determine fetal infection status. Sonographers working in obstetrics should be educated about the transmission of HIV, its potential impact on maternal and fetal health, and appropriate infection control procedures.