HIV infections in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Thirteen women were discovered to be positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during pregnancy at the Port Moresby General Hospital from 1988 to 1995; of these, eight were diagnosed in the first half of 1995. Risk testing for HIV status is unlikely to discover more than 20% of HIV-positive antenatal patients because risk factors target intravenous drug users and the sexual behaviour of men. Pregnancy does not seem to have a major impact on the progress of HIV disease, but could be detrimental particularly in the later stages of the disease. Especially in developing countries, where HIV-positive patients are more likely to be of poor nutritional status and burdened with a number of other infections, there is a higher risk of preterm labour, small-for-dates babies and chorioamnionitis in pregnancy. The risk of vertical transmission is increased when viral loads are high, the general maternal condition is poor and delivery is preterm. Rates in Papua New Guinea appear to be following the higher rates which have been reported from Africa. Gynaecological conditions found in association with HIV infection, including pelvic inflammatory disease, vulvovaginal candidiasis and cervical neoplasia, may be resistant to treatment and tend to recur. Contraception for HIV-positive women may be more important to them than prevention of viral transmission; Depo-Provera and tubal ligation have special benefits in this regard. HIV infection in association with psychiatric disturbance might be an indication for termination of pregnancy.