Testing finds 290 HIV-infected expectant mothers

Almost 300 pregnant woman who underwent voluntary antenatal HIV testing have been newly diagnosed with the virus, it emerged today.

New figures revealed that in four years, from 2002 to 2005, a total of 290 expectant mothers were identified who had not previously known they were infected.

However the report, by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), is said to be incomplete as some hospitals are unable to provide data on private patients.

Dr Aidan O’Hora, HPSC specialist in Public Health, said early detection of HIV in pregnant women can dramatically reduce or prevent transmission from mother to child.

“Studies report that the combined effects of interventions can reduce transmission from 15% – 35% to 2% or less and because measures to prevent mother to child transmission can only be offered if infection is diagnosed before childbirth, early detection is vital,” he said.

“HIV prevalence among women who availed of antenatal screening ranged from 0.25% and 0.31% between 2002 and 2005, which is roughly in line with the European average.

“The number of cases newly diagnosed through antenatal screening decreased from 113 in 2002 to 43 in 2005, which mirrors the trend seen in the national HIV case based reporting system.”

The voluntary test was introduced in 1999 and offered to all pregnant women.

:: In 2002, 54,884 women were offered the test in 21 maternity units. Of those, 52,101 took the test, with 156 diagnosed as HIV positive – including 113 new diagnoses.

:: In 2003, 48,274 women were offered the test in 21 maternity units. Of those, 46,860 took the test, with 146 diagnosed as HIV positive – including 94 new diagnoses.

:: In 2004, 42,276 women were offered the test in 21 maternity units. Of those, 41,588 took the test, with 103 diagnosed as HIV positive – including 40 new diagnoses.

:: In 2005, 44,163 women were offered the test in 20 maternity units. Of those, 43,712 took the test, with 119 diagnosed as HIV positive – including 43 new diagnoses.

“The objectives of HIV testing during pregnancy are to identify women who are HIV positive so that they can avail of appropriate treatment and care, to decrease the incidence of mother to child transmission and to prevent the transmission of HIV to sexual partners of pregnant women,” added Dr O’Hora.