Changes in characteristics and HIV-clinical outcomes of pregnant people living with HIV in the UK.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we explore changes in the demographic and clinical characteristics of pregnant people living with HIV, and their post-partum HIV outcomes between 2000 and 2018.

METHODS

We described pregnancies resulting in a live birth from the linked UK CHIC/ISOSS dataset in three calendar periods (2000-2006; 2007-2012; 2013-2018). Thereafter, we explored median CD4 count change and viral rebound from delivery to 12 months post-partum.

RESULTS

In total, 4341 pregnancies were included. Maternal age increased from 31 (IQR: 28-35) years in 2000-2006 to 34 (IQR: 30-37) years in 2013-2018. Those conceiving in the most recent period had been diagnosed with HIV for longer (2000-2006: 3.0 years to 2013-2018: 7.5 years), had a higher median CD4 count (431-583 cells/mm3), and median nadir CD4 count (219-260 cells/mm3); they were also more likely to have initiated ART prior to estimated conception (70.1%-92.3%), and have a suppressed conception viral loads (VL) (56.6%-82.0%). There was no difference in median CD4 count change over the three calendar periods (2000-2006: +60 [IQR: -44, +179]; 2007-2012: +51 [-45, +172]; 2013-2018: +28 [-100, +175] cells/mm3; p = 0.12). The cumulative proportion of people with viral rebound at 12 months post-delivery was reduced in 2013-2018 (8.2%) when compared with previous periods (2000-2006: 28.1%; 2007-2012: 19.5%).

CONCLUSION

Clinical management of pregnant people has changed over time, resulting in positive trends in this study both within pregnancy and post-partum. Further work needs to understand what barriers remain for those who do not achieve optimal management of HIV in the post-partum period.