Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2003
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.
Recommended Citation
Cusick, William; Stewart, Julie G.; Parry, Michael; McLeod, Gavin; Rakos, Gerald; Sullivan, Chris; and Rodis, John, "State Mandated Prenatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening at a Large Community Hospital" (2003). Nursing Faculty Publications. 22.
https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/nurs_fac/22
Comments
Originally published:
W. Cusick, Julie G. Stewart, M. Parry, G. McLeod, G. Rakos, C. Sullivan, and J. Rodis. "State Mandated Prenatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening at a Large Community Hospital." Connecticut Medicine 67.1 (2003): 7-10.